Acute Effects of Alcohol Intake on Endothelial Progenitor Cells.

Background and Aims: Acute effects of alcohol intake on endothelial progenitor cells is unknown. To assess the influence of alcohol intake on endothelial function, we measured endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at baseline and after alcohol intake. Methods: According to alcohol amount and type, twenty-one healthy volunteers were randomized 4 groups ; 1. fixed amount of beer (4.5% Hite beer 1520mL, alcohol 54.72g), 2. unlimited amount of beer, 3. fixed amount of Soju (19% Lotte soju 360mL, alcohol 54.72g), and 4. Unlimited amount of Soju group. We measured EPCs and FMD at baseline. Volunteers drank alcohol together at night (until 3am), and the next early in the morning (about 4-5 hours after finishing drinking), we measured them again. At the same day, after 1 tennis game, we checked same 3 rd examinations again. Circulating numbers of CD34 + /KDR + , CD34 + /CD117 + and CD 34 + /CD133 + EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Mean age was 22.3±1.6. Mean Body mass index (BMI) was 22.5±3.0. All volunteers were men. Mean amount of alcohol was 72.6±38g (fixed ; 54.72g, unlimited 92.71±49g). Four volunteers could not drink alcohol because of esophageal reflux, minor operation, and family problem each other. According to the analysis of all seventeen men, after alcohol intake, FMD decreased. But, there was no statistical significance (14.6±5.2 to 11.1±6.8, p=0.121). And, there was no significant changes of 3 kinds of EPCs (figure). And, there was no significant difference of FMD and EPCs after exercise. And, there was also no significant differences of FMD and EPCs according to groups. Conclusions: Our study could not show significant effects of alcohol intake on EPCs and FMD.