Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer modulate plasma and macrophage microRNAS differently

Beer is a popular beverage and some beneficial effects have been attributed to its moderate consumption. A pilot study was conducted to test if beer and non-alcoholic beer consumption modify the levels of a panel of 53 cardiometabolic microRNAs in plasma and macrophages.
Seven non-smoker men aged 30-65 with high cardiovascular risk were recruited for a non-randomised cross-over intervention consisting of the ingestion of 500 mL/day of beer or non-alcoholic beer for 14 days with a 7-day washout period between interventions. Plasma and urine isoxanthohumol were measured to assess compliance with interventions.
Monocytes were isolated and differentiated into macrophages, and plasma and macrophage microRNAs were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR. Anthropometric, biochemistry and dietary parameters were also measured. The researchers found an increase in plasma miR-155-5p, miR-328-3p, and miR-92a-3p after beer and a decrease after non-alcoholic beer consumption. Plasma miR-320a-3p levels decreased with both beers. Circulating miR-320a-3p levels correlated with LDL-cholesterol. The researchers found that miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-26b-5p, and miR-223-3p macrophage levels increased after beer and decreased after non-alcoholic beer consumption. Functional analyses suggested that modulated microRNAs were involved in catabolism, nutrient sensing, Toll-like receptors signalling and inflammation.
The authors concluded that beer and non-alcoholic beer intake modulated differentially plasma and macrophage microRNAs. Specifically, microRNAs related to inflammation increased after beer consumption and decreased after non-alcoholic beer consumption.
Source: Daimiel L, Micó V, Díez-Ricote L, Ruiz-Valderrey P, Istas G, Rodríguez-Mateos A, Ordovás JM. Alco-holic and Non-Alcoholic Beer Modulate Plasma and Macrophage microRNAs Differently in a Pilot In-tervention in Humans with Cardiovascular Risk. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 28;13(1):69.