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Effects of moderate beer consumption on first-line immunity of healthy adults

Efectos del consumo moderado de cerveza sobre la primera línea de defensa inmunitaria en adultos sanos

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Abstract

Moderate alcohol consumption has shown to induce benefits on host specific (cell-mediated and humoral) immune system, but there is scarce literature regarding first-line immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in non-specific immunity after alcohol abstention and moderate beer consumption in healthy adults. After a 30 day-alcohol abstemious period, 57 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate consumption of beer (330 mL for women and 660 mL for men, respectively) during the following 30 days. White blood cell counts and phagocytic and oxidative burst activity were evaluated at three points: a) basal, b) abstemious, c) after moderate consumption of beer. Absolute values of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and basophiles (x109/L) increased significantly in women from point b to point c (6.34±1.26 vs. 7.27±1.97, 3.43±0.88 vs. 4.13±1.53, 2.14±0.50 vs. 2.38±0.63, and 0.05±0.02 vs. 0.06±0.03, respectively; p<0.05) as well as basophils in men (0.05±0.03 vs. 0.06±0.03). A significant increase of oxidative burst capacity was also observed after the moderate consumption of beer in both women (33.90±19.00 vs. 48.86±21.83) and men (27.39±18.13 vs. 39.25±24.53). In healthy adults, after 30 days of moderate beer consumption the parameter describing the non-specific immunity improved when compared to the basal situation. For several of these parameters, the response is more enhanced in women.

Resumen

Se ha comprobado que el consumo moderado de alcohol induce beneficios sobre el sistema inmune específico, pero hay pocos estudios referentes a la primera línea de defensa del sistema inmune. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido investigar las posibles diferencias en la inmunidad inespecífica después de un periodo de abstinencia de alcohol y de un consumo moderado de cerveza en adultos sanos. Después de un período de 30 días de abstinencia de alcohol, 57 voluntarios sanos fueron sometidos a un consumo diario moderado de cerveza (330 mL para las mujeres y 660 mL para los hombres) durante 30 días. Se evaluaron las células correspondientes a la serie blanca y la actividad fagocítica y oxidativa en tres situaciones: a) basal, b) tras la abstinencia y c) tras el consumo moderado de cerveza. Los valores absolutos de leucocitos, neutrófilos, linfocitos y basófilos (x109/L) aumentaron significativamente en las mujeres entre las situaciones b y c (6,34±1,26 vs. 7,27±1,97, 3,43±0,88 vs. 4,13±1,53, 2,14±0,50 vs. 2,38±0,63, y 0,05±0,02 vs. 0,06±0,03; p<0,05), así como los basófilos en los hombres (0,05±0,03 vs. 0,06±0,03). También se observó un aumento significativo de la capacidad oxidativa tras el consumo moderado de cerveza en las mujeres (33,90±19,00 vs. 48,86±21,83) y en los hombres (27,39±18,13 vs. 39,25±24,53). En adultos sanos, después de mantener un consumo moderado de cerveza durante 30 días, los parámetros que describen la inmunidad inespecífica mejoraron al compararlos con la situación basal. En varios de esos parámetros, la respuesta es mayor en las mujeres.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo Inmunonutrición, Departamento de Metabolismo y Nutrición, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain

    J. Romeo, J. Wärnberg, L. E. Díaz, M. González-Gross & A. Marcos

  2. Institut für Ernährungs- und Lebensmittelwissenscahften, Abt. Humanernährung, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    M. González-Gross

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  1. J. Romeo
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  2. J. Wärnberg
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  3. L. E. Díaz
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  4. M. González-Gross
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  5. A. Marcos
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Correspondence to A. Marcos.

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Romeo, J., Wärnberg, J., Díaz, L.E. et al. Effects of moderate beer consumption on first-line immunity of healthy adults. J. Physiol. Biochem. 63, 153–159 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168226

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168226

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