Induction of Enzymatic Antioxidants by Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Moderate alcohol consumption has various favourable metabolic changes. In this study Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of enzymatic antioxidants namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were determined in 120 non smoker healthy males with self reported daily consumption of 90ml or 120ml of whisky and rum.30 non smoker healthy males with no history of alcohol consumption were taken as controls. The result shows significantly elevated levels of MDA (pless than0.0001) in participants consuming 120ml of whisky (6.42.2nmol/ml) and 120ml of rum (6.72.0nmol/ml) compared to those consuming 90ml of whisky (3.82.0nmol/ml) and 90ml of rum (3.91.9nmol/ml). While the activities of enzymatic antioxidants were significantly increased (pless than0.0001) in participants consuming 90ml of alcohol (whisky/rum) compared to those consuming 120ml of alcohol (whisky/rum). Alcohol consumption is associated with dose dependent increase in lipid peroxidation. Moderate alcohol consumption induces defensive antioxidant enzymes, this explains the increase in activities of enzymatic antioxidants in 90ml alcohol consumers. Thus study concludes that consumption of 90ml of alcohol (whisky/rum) in a regularly exercising, non smoker will increase the enzymatic antioxidants. This will lead to reduced oxidative stress which might be the reason for eventual decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease.