Background and aims: Several studies showed a protective effect of
moderate alcohol intake on cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effects
of moderate alcohol intake on inflammatory and haemostatic parameters in
17 healthy women (age 53±5years) with ≥2 vascular risk factors for CVD.
Study protocol: 3-week run-in phase with isoenergetic non antiinflammatory
ethanol free diet (T0-T21); 3-week isoenergetic diet and
white wine (20g alcohol equivalent/die) (T21-T42); 3-weeks on the same
diet with the addition of 3 portions/week of fish and nuts, low glycemic
index carbohydrates, and soluble fibres (“anti-inflammatory” diet) (T42-
T63); 3-weeks on the run-in phase diet (T63-T84). At baseline and at
the end of each period anthropometric index, fat mass, lipid profile, CRP,
IL-6, TNF-alpha, fibrinogen, vonWillebrand factor (vWf:Ag), tissue factor
(TF:Ag), factor VII (FVII:Ag and c), factor VIII (FVIII:Ag) and thrombin
generation parameters in plasma were measured.
Results: Over the study period BMI, fat mass, triglycerides, LDL and
HDL-cholesterol did not significantly change compared to baseline levels,
whereas a reduction in total cholesterol levels was observed (p<0.05).
Among inflammatory parameters, only IL-6 levels showed a reduction
(p=0.09), non statistically significant. Alcohol intake, on the other hand,
was associated with TF:Ag (p<0.05) and FVII:Ag (p<0.05) reduction.
These results were paralleled by an increase of thrombin generation Lag
Time (p<0.002) and ttPeak (p< 0.02).
Conclusions: In middle-aged women, moderate alcohol intake reduced
plasma levels of factors triggering blood coagulation and prolonged the
initiation phase of thrombin generation. These information support a
protective vascular effect of alcohol intake at the tested doses
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