RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM NEUTRAL ENDOPEPTIDASE E.C.3.4.24.11 ACTIVITY TOALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is an ubiquitous enzyme that inactivates n umerous endogenous peptides in the brain, kidney, and lung in vivo. Th e origin of the circulating soluble form and its determinants are larg ely unknown. The relationships of smoking habits and alcohol consumpti on to serum NEP activity have been explored in a longitudinal epidemio logical study conducted in 204 Lorraine coal miners. At both surveys, 4 years apart, NEP activity was significantly related to alcohol consu mption (in grams/day) reported by questionnaire, with correlation coef ficients of 0.26 (p = 0.001) in 1990 and 0.23 (p = 0.001) in 1994. The correlations of gamma-glutamyltransferase to NEP activity were even s tronger with correlation coefficients of 0.71 (p = 0.0001) in 1990 and 0.79 (p = 0.0001) in 1994. Longitudinally, the change in NEP activity between the first and the second surveys was significantly correlated with change in alcohol consumption (r = to 0.18, p = 0.02) and with c hange in gamma-glutamyltransferase level (r = 0.60, p = 0.0001). Serum NEP activity was unrelated to smoking habits. Results support the hyp othesis of a causal role of alcohol on serum NEP activity.