The interplay between lipoprotein phenotypes, adiponectin, and alcohol consumption

• Published in: Annals of medicine (Helsinki) Vol. 44; no. 5; p. 513
• Main Authors: Kuusisto, Sanna M, Peltola, Tomi, Laitinen, Maria, Kumpula, Linda S, Mäkinen, Ville-Petteri, Salonurmi, Tuire, Hedberg, Pirjo, Jauhiainen, Matti, Savolainen, Markku J, Hannuksela, Minna L, Ala-Korpela, Mika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.08.2012
• Subjects: Adiponectin - blood; Alcohol Drinking - blood; Alcohol Drinking - genetics; Alcohol Drinking - metabolism; Humans; Lipoproteins - genetics; Male; Middle Aged; Phenotype
• ISSN: 1365-2060
• DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2011.611529

Lipoproteins are involved in the pathophysiology of several metabolic diseases. Here we focus on the interplay between lipoprotein metabolism and adiponectin with the extension of alcohol intake. Eighty-three low-to-moderate and 80 heavy alcohol drinkers were studied. Plasma adiponectin, other biochemical and extensive lipoprotein data were measured. Self-organizing maps were applied to characterize lipoprotein phenotypes and their interrelationships with biochemical measures and alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption and plasma adiponectin had a strong positive association. Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Nevertheless, two distinct lipoprotein phenotypes were identified, one with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decreased very-low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL-TG) together with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and the other vice versa. The HDL particles were enlarged in both phenotypes related to the heavy drinkers. The low-to-moderate alcohol drinkers were characterized with high LDL-C and C-enriched LDL particles. The analyses per se illustrated the multi-faceted and non-linear nature of lipoprotein metabolism. The heavy alcohol drinkers were characterized either by an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (with also the highest adiponectin concentrations) or by a phenotype with pro-atherogenic and metabolic syndrome-like features. Clinically this underlines the need to distinguish the differing individual risk for lipid-related metabolic disturbances also in heavy alcohol drinkers.