The change in the levels of cytokines and growth factors in healthy young adults after regular red wine consumption

Objective: Women are significantly more sensitive to the oxidative stress caused by alcohol and their risk of liver cirrhosis is three times higher compared to men. Low level alcohol input does not induce the CYP2EI, but as a result of high level alcohol consumption the isoenzyme level gets highly synthesized. The induction of CYP2EI has an impact on the oxidative destruction of the liver. Our aim was to examine the changes of 9 cytokine and 3 growth factor levels after regular red wine consumption in healthy young adults. Patients and methods: Serum samples of 10 men and 9 women (aged 20–25yrs) were measured before and after red wine consumption (men:3dl/day; women:2dl/day; for a month). Evidence Biochip Array Analyzer was applied to quantify serum levels of IL-1α IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, VEGF, MCP-1, EGF levels and 29 other routine chemical parameters. Results: In the case of routine parameters no significant difference was found between male and female samples before and after red wine consumption. Concerning the cytokine panel, in female samples, the IL-1α and the growth factors showed a significant increase, while in the male samples only the TNF-α increased. The IL-1α, IL-8, EGF and VEGF decreased (even if their initial value was higher in males) and the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ remained constant. Conclusion: One-month regular red wine input already influenced the immune-system of the organism, and that of females reacted more sensitively even to the input of a small amount. It is useful for Hungarians to recognize the early immune changes that can lead to liver damages, because of the genetic polymorphism

The work was supported by NKFP 1B/047, ETT 012/2006