Effect of Ethanol Dose on Low density Lipoproteins and High Density Lipoprotein Subfractions

Abstract

Male squirrel monkeys were fed increasing caloric percentages (0, 12, 24, and 36%) of ethanol (ETOH) substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate as part of a chemically defined liquid diet to assess how alcohol dose modifies plasma lipoproteins and liver function. A separate group of primates was used to define the dose at which elevations in plasma apolipoprotein B first occurred and to measure plasma alcohol levels. ETOH caused a dose‐related, linear increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which was primarily the result of increments in coronary protective HDL 2 cholesterol. HDL 2 total mass (lipid + protein) followed the pattern of HDL 2 cholesterol. Animals fed the 12% regimen had plasma ETOH levels of approximately 49 mg/dl, the lowest low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the highest HDL 2 /HDL 3 cholesterol ratio. Significant elevations in apolipoprotein B first appeared at 18% ETOH while higher doses (24 and 36%) caused increases in LDL cholesterol and HDL 3 , reduced HDL 2 /HDL 3 ratios, and plasma alcohol levels of 142 and 202 mg/dl, respectively. Liver function tests were normal for all animals. Our results indicate that while a moderate ETOH caloric intake (12%) produces an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile (↓ LDL/HDL, ↑ HDL 2 / HDL 3 ), any coronary protection afforded by continued increases in HDL 2 at higher doses may be attenuated by concurrent atherogenic alterations (↑ LDL cholesterol, ↑ aplipoprotein B).