Plasma level of atherogenic and anti-atherogenic factors among palm wine drinkers of rural southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Scientific evidence indicates that light to moderate drinking on a daily basis may significantly reduce the risks of coronary heart disease (CHD). In contrast, excessive alcohol intake and binge drinking are toxic to both the heart and overall health. There is dearth of knowledge whether palm wine exhibit any these properties. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of level of palm wine consumption on the plasma atherogenic and anti-atherogenic factors among the rural dwellers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-eight male volunteers between the ages of 28-69 yrs were recruited. They were divided into two groups; 28 moderate drinkers with intake of 20-70 grams/day and 30 heavy drinker with intake of >70 grams/day of palm wine at a sitting for 3 to 4days per week with a minimum duration of 5 years. Thirty controls of the same age groups with the same socioeconomic status were recruited. Plasma activities of liver enzymes, plasma concentration of Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and apolipoprotiens (ApoA1 & Apo B) were determined. TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and ApoB/A1 ratios calculated. RESULTS: There was significant increase in plasma concentration of TG, LDL, ApoB and decrease in HDL and ApoA 1 among heavy drinkers. However, there was an increase in plasma level of ApoA1 and decrease in ApoB among moderate drinkers but not significant when compared to the controls. A positive correlation were observed between level of palm wine consumption (>70gram/day) and plasma levels of TG LDL, ApoB, TC/HDL ratio, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio; but negative correlation with HDL and ApoA1. CONCLUSION: Our finding revealed that heavy consumption of palm wine may promote atherogenic factors, but the benefits of moderate consumption recorded need further investigations. There is also the need to determine the level of polyphenolic substances if any in palm wine.

The effect of palm wine on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of rural dwellers in South West Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the levels/activities of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in the blood of subjects that consumed palm wine on regular bases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four male volunteers between the ages of 30-70 years were recruited for the study. The subjects were those that visited palm wine vendor outlet on regular basis at least for a minimum duration of 5 years, with daily intake of 80-160 gm of palm wine at a sitting for a minimum of 3 to 4 days per week. Plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (a-GT); plasma concentration of total antioxidant status (TAS), Malonyldialdehyde ((MDA), selenium (Se) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were determined. RESULTS: The plasma activity of a-GT and marker of lipid peroxidation (MDA) were significantly increased in subjects compared to the controls p<0.01. However, the erythrocyte scavenging antioxidant activity of GSH-Px and plasma Se for the subjects were significantly reduced compared to the controls p<0.05. Positive correlation was observed between MDA/ level of palm wine consumption (r =+ 0.471, p<0.01), AST/ level of palm wine consumption (r=+ 0.263, p<0.05) and a- GT/level of palm wine consumption (r=+ 0.518, p< 0.001) for the subjects. However, a negative correlation was obtained between GSH-Px/level of palm wine consumption (r= - 0.364, p<0.05) and selenium/ level of palm wine consumption (r=- 0.375, p< 0.05) for the subjects. CONCLUSION: Reduced plasma Se and erythrocytes GSH-Px activity with increased plasma MDA in this study revealed that palm wine consumption may deplete the body's antioxidants against free radical attacks and render the body in a state of oxidative stress.