Effect of Ethanol on Skeletal Muscle VEGF Expression in Vivo: Dose Response in Humans Grant uri icon

abstract

  • Evidence from epidemiological studies demonstrates a consistent association between ethyl alcohol (ethanol) consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consumption of one to two drinks per day provides a protective effect against CVD, while the consumption of three or more drinks per day is associated with an increased risk for CVD. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a highly conserved endothelial specific growth factor that promotes capillary growth and endothelial proliferation and migration in numerous tissues including cardiac and skeletal muscle. Recent reports suggest that the vascular protective effects of ' ethanol may result from increased expression of VEGF. Ethanol increases VEGF expression in canine coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (CAVSMC) and increases VEGF expression and angiogenesis in chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). However, it is impractical to obtain cardiac muscle samples in healthy humans. In humans, the skeletal muscle is an excellent model to study vessel regulation. Human skeletal muscle biopsy samples are relatively easy to obtain and are well tolerated; and it is well documented that both skeletal muscle capillarization and VEGF expression increase in humans under appropriate stimulation, such as exercise training. Recently, we have demonstrated in rats that the ip. administration of ethanol increases restin VEGF mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. We hypothesize that acute ethanol consumption will increase VEGF expression in human skeletal muscle. Ethanol will be administered at two different dosages (15 and 30g), which are equivalent to 1 and 2 drinks, respectively. Muscle biopsies will be obtained from the vastus lateralis for the determination of VEGF expression. Data obtained from these studies will allow us to apply for NIH and foundation funding.

date/time interval

  • July 2002 - June 2003