EFFECT OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION ON BLOOD ANTIOXIDANT NUTRIENTS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS INDICATORS

The effects of alcohol consumption on plasma concentrations of antioxi dant vitamins (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid), selenium, and mark ers of oxidative stress, especially malondialdehyde (MDA) and autoanti bodies directed to MDA adducts to proteins (Ig-NH2-MDA) were investiga ted in a large population of 417 supposedly healthy men who consumed o nly low or moderate amounts of alcohol as compared with 102 alcoholic patients without severe liver disease, who were studied both before an d after 21 d of withdrawal treatment. Plasma concentrations of alpha-t ocopherol, ascorbic acid, and selenium were lower in alcoholics than i n men who drank low amounts of alcohol (P less than or equal to 0.001) , whereas MDA and Ig-NH2-MDA were higher (P less than or equal to 0.00 1). Plasma concentrations of cu-tocopherol and selenium remained uncha nged after the withdrawal period, whereas ascorbic acid (P less than o r equal to 0.01), MDA, and Ig-NH2-MDA concentrations decreased (P less than or equal to 0.001). Adjustment of data for circulating lipids an d nutritional intake suggests a specific effect of alcohol on antioxid ant vitamins, independent of nutritional status.