Effects of moderate consumption of distilled and fermented alcohol on some aspects of neuroimmunomodulation.

Alcoholic beverages are characterized by their fermented versus distilled origin and also by their degree of alcohol. The toxic effects of chronic alcohol consumption have been widely studied. However, there is less evidence about possible beneficial effects of moderate alcohol intake. This work was aimed at evaluating the effects of moderate alcohol consumption (beer or ethanol) on plasma hormone concentrations, blood and thymus lymphocyte phenotypes and brain neurotransmitter levels. For this purpose, 40 adult Wistar male rats were administered ethanol or beer for 4 weeks (experimental groups). Age-matched rats were administered beer without alcohol or water to be used as controls. Rats were killed by decapitation and plasma from the trunk blood was collected to measure plasma prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH concentrations by homologous specific double antibody radioimmunoassays. Thymus and blood lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Neurotransmitter concentrations [dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine] were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography in the median eminence and the pituitary. Blood and thymus lymphocyte subsets were not significantly changed by either ethanol or beer consumption, compared to controls. Plasma prolactin levels significantly decreased in ethanol-administered groups (p < 0.05) compared to control animals drinking water, although plasma levels of growth hormone and ACTH were not modified by either alcohol used. Dopamine and GABA concentrations in the median eminence or in the adenohypophysis remained unmodified by moderate beer or ethanol consumption. However, taurine concentration was significantly increased in the pituitary (p < 0.05) in the group drinking ethanol compared to those groups drinking beer with or without alcohol. These data suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may change the regulatory mechanism of prolactin secretion. Whether these modifications have a physiological significance deserves further research.

The relationship between central corneal thickness and Goldmann applanation tonometry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Goldmann applanation tonometry and central corneal thickness in a large sample of healthy eyes. METHOD: Five hundred eyes of 500 subjects (253 women, 50.6 per cent and 247 men, 49.4 per cent) were analysed in a prospective healthy population study. Mean age of the sample was 31 +/- 8 years. Goldmann applanation tonometry was carried out by one physician. Tonometric values were the mean of three consecutive readings. Subsequently, another physician carried out ultrasonic pachymetry with the DGH 2000 AP ultrasonic pachymeter (DGH Technology Inc, San Diego, USA). Ten measurements were made at the centre of the cornea of each eye. The lowest value was used for analysis. RESULTS: Applanation tonometry and central corneal thickness were correlated (r = 0.184, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between corneal thickness and age (r = 0.083, p = 0.065), mean spherical equivalent refraction (r = 0.083, p = 0.065) or visual acuity (r = 0.036, p = 0.187). CONCLUSION: In normal eyes, there is no statistically significant correlation between changes of intraocular pressure and changes of central corneal thickness but they suggest a relationship between intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness. Goldmann applanation tonometry has a systematic error in accuracy of intraocular pressure readings of healthy eyes caused by its dependence on central corneal thickness. Measurement of corneal thickness by optometrists should be the first step in diagnosing intraocular pressure pathologies.