THE RELATION OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION TO SERUM CAROTENOID AND RETINOL LEVELS - EFFECTS OF WITHDRAWAL

The effects of alcohol consumption on plasma concentrations of retinol and various carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin-lu tein, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin) were studied in a control popul ation of 118 supposedly healthy men consuming low or moderate amounts of alcohol, and 95 alcoholic patients without severe liver disease bef ore and after a withdrawal treatment of 21 days. There was no signific ant difference between alcoholics and controls regarding plasma retino l level. Conversely, plasma concentrations of all the carotenoid fract ions were significantly lower in the alcoholic group than in the low d rinker group. After withdrawal, plasma levels of all the carotenoids i ncreased whereas retinol concentration diminished. Adjustment of data for various potential confounding factors especially including nutriti onal intake suggests an effect of alcohol on plasma carotenoids and a specific effect of withdrawal on plasma retinol, bath of them being no t only related to nutritional status.