@article {974, title = {Alcohol consumption, interleukin-6 and apolipoprotein E genotypes, and concentrations of interleukin-6 and serum amyloid P in older adults.}, journal = {Am J Clin Nutr}, volume = {86}, year = {2007}, month = {2007 Aug}, pages = {444-50}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Whether alcohol intake is associated with concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid P (SAP) is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE: We determined how alcohol intake and apolipoprotein E (apo E) and IL-6 promoter (IL-6 -174G-->C) polymorphisms interact for concentrations of IL-6 and SAP.

DESIGN: In the Cardiovascular Health Study, 2454 older adults reported their intake of beer, wine, and liquor and underwent measurements of circulating IL-6 and SAP.

RESULTS: Alcohol intake was not associated with IL-6 concentrations among apo E4-negative or IL-6C-positive participants but was positively associated among both apo E4-positive and IL-6C-negative participants (P for trend = 0.02 for both). The corresponding interactions on SAP were not significant for alcohol overall but were similar for liquor intake.

CONCLUSIONS: Among older adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease, specific IL-6 promoter and apo E alleles appeared to confer positive associations of alcohol consumption with IL-6 concentrations. Genetic heterogeneity should be considered in understanding the cardiovascular effects of alcohol intake.

}, keywords = {Aged, Alcohol Drinking, Apolipoprotein E4, Apolipoproteins E, Blood Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, Cohort Studies, Female, Genotype, Humans, Interleukin-6, Male, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Serum Amyloid P-Component}, issn = {0002-9165}, doi = {10.1093/ajcn/86.2.444}, author = {Mukamal, Kenneth J and Jenny, Nancy S and Tracy, Russell P and Siscovick, David S} }