Effect of moderate alcohol intake on lipid peroxidation in plasma, erythrocyte and leukocyte and on some antioxidant enzymes

Plasma, erythrocyte and leukocyte lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and plasma γ- glutamyl transferase (GOT) levels were investigated in 36 healthy non- drinkers aged between 18-55 years (mean 38.7) and 72 alcohol drinkers aged between 20-48 years (mean 35.3) in order to determine the oxidative effect of alcohol. Erythrocyte lipid peroxidation of the drinkers (measured in terms of MDA) was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared to that of controls. However, when Tukey-HSD and F test with ANOVA were performed, that significance disappears in those who consume less than 140 g of alcohol per day and persists in those who consume more than 140 g of alcohol per day (P < 0.05). Plasma GGT level was significantly increased compared to that of controls (P < 0.001). Also, there was a significant (P = 0.01) correlation between serum GGT level and the amount of alcohol. There were no significant differences between all the other parameters of both groups. Reduced lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes without any accompanying increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes shows that another mechanism might be responsible for this finding. This mechanism was thought to be an alteration in lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes.