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. 1998 May 30;316(7145):1675.

Effect of moderate alcohol consumption on Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations

Reduction is supported by other studies

Peter C Sharpe 1,2, Ian S Young 1,2, Alun E Evans 1,2
PMCID: PMC1113249  PMID: 9603764

Editor—We agree with Paassilta et al that there may be a relation between moderate alcohol consumption and lower Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations.1 The relation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mortality is U shaped, with the lowest mortality at an alcohol consumption of 2-4 units (16-32 g) a day.2 Several mechanisms contribute to this cardioprotective effect including beneficial increases in high density lipoprotein cholesterol3 and inhibition of platelet aggregation.4 However, other factors may be involved. Lp(a) lipoprotein is a recognised independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and, as stated by Paassilta et al, little attention has been directed to the effects of alcohol on Lp(a) lipoprotein.

In 1995 we reported a significant reduction in Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration in a prospective study of 20 healthy volunteers (men and women) given 21 g of alcohol daily for 10 days in the form of red wine (median (range) 186 (15-1420) mg/l v 132 (10-1210) mg/l, P<0.001).5 This reduction was not repeated when the same subjects were given white wine, raising the issue of potential differences between various alcoholic drinks. Interestingly, we found no changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.

We have conducted a larger unpublished crossover trial in 50 men comparing the effects of 3 units (24 g) of alcohol a day as red wine or vodka for 14 days on Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations. Each period of alcohol consumption was preceded by two weeks’ abstinence. Both drinks produced a 10-12% decrease in Lp(a) concentration (geometric mean 153 mg/100 ml v 135 mg/l after vodka, P<0.001; 151 mg/l v 136 mg/l after red wine, P<0.01). These results suggest that moderate alcohol consumption results in changes in Lp(a) lipoprotein which are independent of the type of alcoholic drink consumed. In conclusion, we agree with Paassilta et al that lower Lp(a) concentrations may be one factor conferring lower mortality and cardiovascular benefit in social drinkers.

References

  • 1.Paassilta M, Kervinen K, Rantala AO, Savolainen MJ, Lilja M, Reunanen A, et al. Social alcohol consumption and low Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in middle aged Finnish men: population based study. BMJ. 1998;316:594–595. doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7131.594. .(21 February.) [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Kannel WB, Ellison RC. Alcohol and coronary heart disease—the evidence for a protective effect. Clin Chim Acta. 1996;246:59–76. doi: 10.1016/0009-8981(96)06227-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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BMJ. 1998 May 30;316(7145):1675.

No effect seen in Australian drinkers

Leon A Simons 1, Judith Simons 1

Editor—Paassilta et al suggest that a moderate intake of alcohol in Finnish men is associated with a roughly 50% reduction in median Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration.1-1 We have published relevant data from a large Australian cohort participating in an ongoing prospective study of cardiovascular disease (2805 subjects ⩾60 years, average age 70 years).1-2,1-3

Current alcohol intake was assessed by personal interview and classified as nil, 10-70 g/week, 80-140 g/week, 150-280 g/week, and >280 g/week (the last group in men only). The third and fourth groups correspond most closely with the middle and highest third of alcohol intake described by Paassilta et al.1-1 Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration was assessed by a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) with polyclonal sheep antibody raised against purified human apo(a) (TintElize Lp(a) Biopool, Sweden). The table shows median (interquartile range) Lp(a) lipoprotein and mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by sex and alcohol intake.

Table.

Median (interquartile range) Lp(a) lipoprotein and mean high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations by sex and alcohol intake

Alcohol consumption (g/day) Men
Women
No Lp(a) lipoprotein (mg/l) HDL cholesterol (mmol/l) No Lp(a) lipoprotein (mg/l) HDL cholesterol (mmol/l)
0 262  90 (40-255) 1.12 739 115 (50-275) 1.37
10-70 425 100 (40-240) 1.16 570 125 (60-310) 1.45
80-140 266 103 (45-280) 1.29 197 125 (45-310) 1.62
150-280 160  88 (45-230) 1.39 42 125 (65-260) 1.70
>280 97  85 (35-205) 1.42 - - -
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There was no significant relation between Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration and alcohol intake in either sex. We drew similar conclusions when the data were examined in those below or above 70 years of age. The usual positive relation between alcohol intake and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was confirmed. Paassilta et al examined only 259 men aged 40-60 years. The median Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration in 37 teetotallers seemed high at 206 mg/l, and this may have been a spurious result. Surprisingly, they found no relation between alcohol intake and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. Though we have reported that any alcohol intake in our cohort is associated with reduced coronary risk1-3 and raised Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration is associated with increased coronary risk,1-2 any link between alcohol intake and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration seems unlikely.

References

  • 1-1.Paassilta M, Kervinen K, Rantala AO, Savolainen MJ, Lilja M, Reunanen A, et al. Social alcohol consumption and low Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in middle aged Finnish men: population based study. BMJ. 1998;316:594–595. doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7131.594. . (21 February.) [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 1-2.Simons LA, Friedlander Y, McCallum J, Simons J. Risk factors for coronary heart disease in the prospective Dubbo study of Australian elderly. Atherosclerosis. 1995;117:107–118. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(94)05564-y. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 1-3.Simons LA, McCallum J, Friedlander Y, Simons J. Alcohol intake and survival in the elderly: a 77 month follow-up on the Dubbo study. Aus NZ J Med. 1996;26:662–670. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1996.tb02937.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
BMJ. 1998 May 30;316(7145):1675.

Reduction is not found in women

Shizukiyo Ishikawa 1, Tadao Goto 1, Naoki Nago 1

Editor—Paassilta et al showed a quantitative association between social alcohol consumption and low Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in middle aged men.2-1 As they indicated, we reported a negative qualitative association between drinking habits and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in men.2-2 We report here the results of a quantitative analysis of the association between alcohol intake and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration in the Jichi Medical School cohort study. During 1992-5 we collected population based data in rural districts in Japan. The 9532 subjects (3658 men and 5874 women), which included all subjects in our previous report, were divided into five categories by drinking status; non-drinkers, (963 men), former drinkers (140 men), drinkers in the lowest third of alcohol intake (<107 g/week; 711 men), drinkers in the middle third (107-224 g/week; 942 men), and drinkers in the highest third (>224 g/week; 902 men). Serum Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Lp(a) lipoprotein and triglyceride concentrations were calculated as geometric means. We used SAS software for statistical analysis.

The groups were similar regarding body mass index and total cholesterol concentrations. The mean age of former drinkers was higher than that of men in the other groups (analysis of variance P<0.0001). We therefore adjusted for age in all other analyses. Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration decreased with increased alcohol consumption in men except in former drinkers (table). Fibrinogen concentrations fell with increasing alcohol consumption (P<0.05).

Table.

Mean atherosclerotic risk factors by alcohol consumption for men in the Jichi Medical School study, 1992-5

Non-drinker
Former drinker
<107 g/week
107-224 g/week
>224 g/week
No Mean No Mean No Mean No Mean No Mean P value2-151
Age (years) 963 57.5 140 61.3 711 54.8 942 53.9 902 54.9 <0.0001
Body mass index (kg/m2) 958 22.9 138 23.1 703 23.1 941 22.9 898 22.9 0.74
Lp(a) lipoprotein (mg/l)2-150 963 135 140 120 711 129 942 128 902 107 <0.0001
Fibrinogen (g/l) 570 2.46 97   2.55 530   2.42 713   2.42 643   2.38 <0.05
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2-150

Geometric means were calculated for Lp(a).  

2-151

P values for variables except age were calculated after adjustment for age by analysis of covariance.   

For women the geometric mean Lp(a) concentrations were 148 mg/l in non-drinkers, 144 mg/l in former drinkers, 144 mg/l in lowest third, 136 mg/l in middle third, and 138 mg/l in highest third. There was no significant association between Lp(a) lipoprotein concentration and alcohol consumption (P=0.27). Fibrinogen concentrations decreased with increasing consumption (P<0.0001).

Our analysis shows a negative relation between alcohol consumption and and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in men but not in women. These results support Paassilta et al’s study and confirm our previous qualitative analysis.

References

  • 2-1.Paassilta M, Kervinen K, Rantala AO, Savilainen MJ, Lilja M, Reunanen A, et al. Social alcohol consumption and low Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations in middle aged Finnish men: population based study. BMJ. 1998;316:594–595. doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7131.594. . (21 February.) [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2-2.Nago N, Kyaba K, Hiraoka J, Matsuo H, Goto T, Kario K, et al. Lipoprotein(a) levels in the Japanese population: influence of age and sex, and relation to atherosclerotic risk factors. Am J Epidemiol. 1995;141:815–821. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a117516. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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