EFFECT OF MODERATE ALCOHOL INTAKE ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN PLASMA, ERYTHROCYTE AND LEUKOCYTE AND ON SOME ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES

Plasma, erythrocyte and leukocyte lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte supe roxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and plasma gam ma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were investigated in 36 healthy n on-drinkers aged between 18-55 years (mean 38.7) and 72 alcohol drinke rs aged between 20-48 years (mean 35.3) in order tb determine the oxid ative effect of alcohol. Erythrocyte lipid peroxidation of the drinker s (measured in terms of MDA) was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared to that of controls. However, when Tukey-HSD and F te st with ANOVA were performed, that significance disappears in those wh o consume less than 140 g of alcohol per day and persists in those who consume more than 140 g of alcohol per day (P < 0.05). Plasma GGT lev el was significantly increased compared to that of controls (P < 0.001 ). Also, there was a significant (P = 0.01) correlation between serum GGT level and the amount of alcohol. There were no significant differe nces between all the other parameters of both groups. Reduced lipid pe roxidation of erythrocytes without any accompanying increase in the ac tivities of antioxidant enzymes shows that another mechanism might be responsible for this finding. This mechanism was thought to be an alte ration in lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.