Moderate alcohol consumption and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes

Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a risk predictor for myocardial infarction and stroke. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at higher risk for such conditions. The association of alcohol consumption with IMT is still controversial.
A cross-sectional study included 281 patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology at Zhoushan Hospital from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2015. Patients with a past medical history of cerebrovascular events, acute myocardial ischemia or who were unable to provide a detailed alcohol consumption history were excluded. Carotid IMT, together with blood biochemical examinations were collected.
The number of patients with elevated carotid IMT in moderate alcohol consumers was apparently less than alcohol non/heavy-consumers. In addition, the number of participants with elevated carotid IMT in liquor consumers was higher than alcohol non-consumers and rice wine/beer consumers. Systolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, glycosylated hemoglobin, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, uric acid, cholesterol and creatinine levels were higher in elevated IMT patients, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol level was levels were significantly lower.
The authors say that moderate alcohol consumption has a protective effect on atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, requiring consideration to dietary intake and physical activity, among other influences. Inflammation theory and lipid metabolism could be involved in such prophylaxis effects.
Source: Lu C, Weng R, Wu W, Wang Y, Gu X. Moderate alcohol consumption and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2021 Sep;30(3):497-503. doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.202109_30(3).0016.