MODERATE DOSES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WITH DINNER AND POSTPRANDIAL HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN COMPOSITION

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced riskof coronary heart disease. In this study, postprandial changesin plasma lipids, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compositionand cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity levels were investigatedin response to moderate alcohol consumption. A dose of 40 gof alcohol was consumed as beer, wine or spints by eight healthymiddle-aged men before and during dinner thus simulating socialdrinking. Lipid parameters were studied before, and at 1, 3,5, 9, and 13 h after dinner. An alcohol- induced elevation ofplasma triglycerides was observed at 3 and 5 h after dinner,but total plasma cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were hardlyaffected. HDL lipids changed during the postprandial phase afteralcohol consumption, HDL triglycerides were elevated at 5 and9 h, RDL phospholipids were elevated at 9 and 13 h, and HDLcholesterol was elevated at 13 h. A 6% increase in the concentrationof apolipoprotein A-II was observed at 13 h. Plasma LCAT activitywas slightly increased 9 h after dinner, but CETP activity levelswere not affected. The LCAT changes appeared similar for allthree alcoholic beverages. It is concluded that moderate alcoholconsumption with dinner affects plasma triglyceride concentrationas well as HDL composition.