Effects of moderate ethanol consumption on lipid metabolism and inflammation through regulation of gene expression in rats

A study examined potential mechanisms by which moderate alcohol consumption may provide a protective effect against CVD.
For the study, twenty-four male Wistar rats voluntarily consumed a 20% v/v ethanol solution on alternate days for 13 weeks (ethanol-treated) or were given access to water alone (non-ethanol- exposed control).
After 13 weeks, there was no difference in body weight gain between the two groups, however, epididymal fat weight was lower in ethanol-fed rats and blood glucose, total cholesterol, non- high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and oxidized low- density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were lower in the ethanol group compared to controls. There was a significant reduction in the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme, a reductase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 in ethanol-treated rats, suggesting that ethanol may have lowered cholesterol levels via downregulation of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis.
Paraoxonase-1, which is associated with inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation, was upregulated in the ethanol group. Ethanol-treated rats exhibited significantly lower levels of high-mobility box group protein 1. Cyclooxygenase-2 and RelA gene expression were significantly lower in ethanol- treated rats, indicating possible anti-inflammatory effects.
These findings suggest that moderate ethanol consumption may potentially contribute to improved cardiovascular outcomes by reducing body fat, improving blood cholesterol and blood glucose, and modulation of gene expression involved in inflammation and/or cholesterol synthesis.
Source: Effects of Moderate Ethanol Consumption on Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation Through Regulation of Gene Expression in Rats. Meegan Justice; Autumn Ferrugia; Joshua Beidler; Jerrold C Penprase; Patricia Cintora. Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2019, Pages 5–12.