Light Drinking Offers Atherosclerosis Protection In Type 2 Diabetes

Light drinking appears to have preventive effects on atherosclerosis among type 2 diabetic patients. These effects do not exist with heavy drinking, however.

This has been found among a cohort of 194 patients with type 2 diabetes who were assessed by clinicians at the Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

Investigators recorded their alcohol consumption, as well as known possible atherosclerotic risks factors. Their degree of atherosclerotic progression was evaluated using aortic pulse wave velocity (a-PWV).

The cohort was divided into three categories depending on their average weekly consumption of alcohol: non-drinkers, and light drinkers (ethanol consumption of less than 210 g/week), and heavy drinkers (ethanol consumption more than 210 g/week).

The investigators found that a-PWV was significantly lower in light drinkers compared with non-drinker or heavy drinkers. At the same time, they found no significant difference in a-PWV between non-drinkers and heavy drinkers.

Systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in heavy drinkers compared with non-drinkers and with light drinkers. Conversely, there was no significant difference in these levels between non-drinkers and light drinkers.

Little differences were found between mean levels of BMI and blood HbA1c, uric acid, and fibrinogen between the three groups. There were significant positive correlations of a-PWV with age and systolic blood pressure, and a weak, but significant, negative correlation of a-PWV with alcohol consumption and HDL cholesterol level.

The investigators conclude: "The known beneficial effects of drinking alcohol on blood lipids and fibrinogen may not be involved in the preventive effect of light drinking on atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects." Diabetes Care 25:1223-1228, 2002

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