Alcohol in Moderation, Cardioprotection, and Neuroprotection: Epidemiological Considerations and Mechanistic Studies

“In patients with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, or aging (Zeiher et al., 1993), endothelial dysfunction predisposes to the development of structural vascular changes (Ross, 1993) and may play a critical role in acute MI and sudden death.”

“…that cardiovascular disease and stroke are 2 of the top 3 leading causes of mortality in developed countries and, according to a Lancet review (Ferri et al., 2005), new cases of dementia are being diagnosed about every 7 seconds worldwide, it seems imperative that as much as possible is…”

“These include dose-dependent associations of alcohol with lower risk of CHD but higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke throughout a recommended range of drinking, an increased risk of ischemic stroke with heavier drinking, and an emerging but somewhat variable association with lower risk of dementia.”

“Heavy alcohol consumption has long been associated with vascular as well as myocardial complications (Klatsky, 1996), whereas, as discussed earlier in this summary, several epidemiological studies suggest an inverse association between longterm moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of CHD and MI (Thun et al., 1997…”

“Ischemic or hyperthermic PC and brain neuroprotection, first described only about 2 decades ago (Chopp et al., 1989; Kitagawa et al., 1990), has spawned studies with traditionally toxic agents at exposures that mildly stress and thus precondition the system under study (Best et al., 1996; Leak et…”

“Meta-analyses of alcohol and stroke support this fully (Reynolds et al., 2003), suggesting 20% lower risk of ischemic stroke among lessthan-daily drinkers in cohort studies, but increased risk with heavier drinking, and a dose-dependent increase in risk for hemorrhagic stroke.”

“…conclusions about the relationship of average alcohol consumption with risk, suggesting 25% lower risk throughout a range of intake from about ½ drink per day through 2 drinks per day, but potentially higher risk at or above 6 drinks per day (Cleophas, 1999; Corrao et al., 2000; Maclure, 1993).”

“In the CHS and HPFS, alcohol intake correlates well with HDL-C levels, with coefficients of 0.25 to 0.35.”

“Studies with more common PC modalities—in particular, ischemic tolerance—have elucidated the involvement of early cellular ‘‘sensors’’ that trigger subsequent ‘‘transducer’’ mechanisms such as kinases, cytokines, and transcription factors upstream of hsp effectors (Dirnagl et al., 2003).”

“Other mechanisms for the cardioprotective effect of light to moderate consumption have been discussed [116,128] but, based on current knowledge, appear to play less prominent roles in explaining the beneficial effects of regular light to moderate drinking.”

“Epidemiological studies show trends that light to moderate drinkers have reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in comparison to non-drinkers (reviewed Collins et al. 2009).”