EFFECT OF MODERATE DOSE OF ALCOHOL WITH EVENING MEAL ON FIBRINOLYTIC FACTORS

Objectives-To evaluate the effects of moderate consumption of alcoholi c beverages on the fibrinolytic system and to assess whether these eff ects could helpexplain the relation between moderate alcohol consumpti on and reduced coronary heart disease. Design-Four treatments were all ocated in a randomised controlled order on four days over a period of 11 days. Setting-Metabolic ward of research institute. Subjects-Fight white healthy middle aged men. Interventions-Subjects were provided wi th food for the 11 days. On the four study days mineral water or 40 g of alcohol in the form of beer, wine, or spirits was consumed at dinne r early in the evening. Main outcome measures-Plasminogen activator in hibitor activity, tissue type plasminogen activator antigen, and tissu e type plasminogen activator activity one hour before and one, three, five, nine, and 13 hours after dinner with mineral water or alcoholic beverages. Results-After dinner with alcohol plasminogen activator inh ibitor activity rose horn 53 (SD 19)% to a maximum of 667 (283%) five hours after dinner (P < 0.001). Tissue type plasminogen activator anti gen levels rose from 5.3 (2.2) mu g/l to a maximum of 10.8 (3.8) mu g/ l nine hours after dinner with alcohol (P < 0.001). Plasminogen activa tor activity was reduced in the postprandial period (from 1387 (483) I U/1 to 323 (288) IU/1 five hours after eating; P < 0.001) but was high er than normal early the next morning (1516 (809) IU/1 after alcohol, 779 (516) IU/1 after water; P = 0.04). Conclusion-Moderate alcohol con sumption with dinner affects plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, plasminogen activator antigen level, and tissue type plasminogen acti vator activity temporarily. The effects observed in the early morning are consistent with a decrease in risk of coronary heart disease in mo derate drinkers.