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Thromb Haemost 2003; 90(06): 1080-1087
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-04-0221
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

The effects of different alcoholic drinks on lipids, insulin and haemostatic and inflammatory markers in older men

Sasiwarang Goya Wannamethee
1   Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
,
Gordon D. O. Lowe
2   University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
,
Gerald Shaper
1   Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
,
Peter H. Whincup
3   Department of Public Health Sciences, St George’s Medical School Hospital, London, UK
,
Ann Rumley
2   University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
,
Mary Walker
1   Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
,
Lucy Lennon
1   Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
› Author AffiliationsFinancial support: We thank the British Heart Foundation for project grant support.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 10 April 2003

Accepted after revision 07 September 2003

Publication Date:
05 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Light to moderate drinking is associated with lower risk of coronary heart (CHD) than non-drinkers. We have examined the relationships between total alcohol intake and type of alcoholic beverage and several potential biological mechanisms.

We carried out the study in 3158 men aged 60-79 years drawn from general practices in 24 British towns with no history of myocardial infarction, stroke or diabetes and who were not on warfarin. Total alcohol consumption showed a significant positive dose-response relationship with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), coagulation factor IX, haematocrit, blood viscosity, and tissue plasminogen (t-PA) antigen, and an inverse dose-response relationship with insulin, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and triglycerides after adjustment for possible confounders. Total alcohol consumption showed weak associations with plasma viscosity and fibrin D-dimer, and no association with factors VII, VIII, or C-reactive protein (CRP). Wine was specifically associated with lower CRP, plasma viscosity, factor VIII and triglycerides.

The findings are consistent with the suggestion that HDL-C in particular but also insulin and haemostatic factors may contribute to the beneficial effect of light to moderate drinking on risk of CHD.Wine has effects that may confer greater protection than other alcoholic beverages.

Keywords

Alcohol intake - haemostasis - insulin - lipids
 

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