Alcohol consumption, interleukin-6 and apolipoprotein E genotypes, and concentrations of interleukin-6 and serum amyloid P in older adults

BACKGROUND: Whether alcohol intake is associated with concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid P (SAP) is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We determined how alcohol intake and apolipoprotein E (apo E) and IL-6 promoter (IL-6 -174G-->C) polymorphisms interact for concentrations of IL-6 and SAP. DESIGN: In the Cardiovascular Health Study, 2454 older adults reported their intake of beer, wine, and liquor and underwent measurements of circulating IL-6 and SAP. RESULTS: Alcohol intake was not associated with IL-6 concentrations among apo E4-negative or IL-6C-positive participants but was positively associated among both apo E4-positive and IL-6C-negative participants (P for trend = 0.02 for both). The corresponding interactions on SAP were not significant for alcohol overall but were similar for liquor intake. CONCLUSIONS: Among older adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease, specific IL-6 promoter and apo E alleles appeared to confer positive associations of alcohol consumption with IL-6 concentrations. Genetic heterogeneity should be considered in understanding the cardiovascular effects of alcohol intake.