Early and late effects of alcohol ingestion on blood pressure and endothelial function

Abstract 

Previous investigations have shown a biphasic effect of alcohol on blood pressure (BP). However, there are no studies on possible simultaneous influences in endothelial function. This study aims to evaluate the early and late effects of alcohol ingestion on vascular and endothelial function parameters in healthy young men. The diameter of brachial artery (DBA), endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation, endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate were measured 30min before intake, 4h after intervention (when there is a reported hypotensive effect of alcohol), and after 13h (subsequent increase in BP). The study group consisted of 100 males aged 18–25 years who were evaluated by brachial artery ultrasound. Subjects were randomized to drink either an alcoholic (60g of ethanol) or a similar nonalcoholic beverage. Alcohol induced a biphasic effect on SBP and DBP, with a 4-h decrease followed by an increase after 13h. After 4h, the alcohol-drinking group presented a DBA increase that was significant at baseline and after hyperemia but not after nitroglycerin administration. There were no DBA differences between the intervention and control groups 13h after drinking. This study replicates the initial reports of alcohol-induced biphasic alteration in BP. Our results showed that despite the late increase in BP, there were no accompanying changes in endothelial function.

Keywords: Endothelium, Ethanol, Cardiovascular disease, Prevention, Ultrasound