An exploratory study of cytokine and inflammatory profiles between young adult low-risk and at-risk drinkers

Abstract

Background: This exploratory study examined plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors as well as intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (iFABP) and zonulin levels between young adult male and female low-risk and at-risk drinkers.

Methods: A total of 33 low-risk (phosphatidylethanol levels <20 ng/ml; 19 female) and 44 at-risk drinkers (phosphatidylethanol levels ≥20 ng/ml; 30 female) were included in this study. Fasting blood samples were obtained in all participants. A multiplex assay was used to measure 48 chemokines and growth factors. An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure plasma levels of human iFABP and zonulin.

Results: We found that in young female, at-risk drinkers had a lower level of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (p = 0.04) and platelet-derived growth factor BB (P = 0.04) than low-risk drinkers, while in males, an elevated level of interferon-gamma was found in at-risk drinkers compared to low-risk drinkers (P = 0.04). Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels were significantly higher and zonulin levels were significantly lower in at-risk-risk drinkers compared to low-risk drinkers (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that at-risk drinking in young adults is associated with alterations in specific cytokines and proteins involved in intestinal barrier function.

Keywords: At-risk drinking; Binge drinking; Cytokines; Inflammatory markers; Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein; Young adults; Zonulin.