Abstract
Biochemical changes in plasma and red cell membrane in moderate and heavy alcoholics were investigated to compare them with teetotalers in the present study. Significant changes in lipid, lipoprotein profile, and lipid peroxidation were evident from the study suggesting the cardioprotective effect in moderate alcoholics, and adverse changes leading to cardiovascular risk in heavy alcoholics. Both nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma of moderate alcoholics increased significantly when compared with teetotalers and the increase is more pronounced in heavy alcoholics. The results of the present study showed no significant difference in osmotic hemolysis in red cells from moderate and heavy alcoholics incubated with NaCl at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.9%. Further, the study showed a possible relationship of nitric oxide (NO) with changes in plasma lipid profile. To sum up, these changes in both moderate and heavy alcoholics clearly indicated the involvement of NO in rendering tolerance to alcohol-induced effects and also in modulation of alcohol effects.