Abstract
Recently ethanol intoxication has been recognized as a risk factor of cerebral thrombosis in the young adults.
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effects of ethanol on blood coagulability, fibrinolytic activity, platelet aggregability, blood viscosity, and serum protein and lipids. Each comparative study was made before and after the oral administration of beer in nine young, healthy male volunteers. Beer was taken in the total amount of 1899ml containing about 4.5% ethanol (total ethanol volume: about 85g) over 3 hours.
The results of this study were as follows:
(1) Elevated hepaplastintest (p<0.01).
(2) Prolonged euglobulin clot lysis time (p<0.005).
(3) Enhanced platelet aggregability induced by ADP (2μM) (p<0.05) and ristocetin (1.25mg/ml) (p<0.01).
(4) Decreased whole blood viscosity at shear rate of 18.75sec-1 (p<0.005), 75sec-1 (p<0.01) and 375sec-1 (p<0.05) respectively.
(5) Decreased hematocrit value (p<0.005).
(6) Decreased total protein (p<0.05).
(7) Decreased total cholesterol (p<0.005).
(8) Increased triglycerides (p<0.05).
(9) Decreased HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05).
They suggest that excessive beer abuse may decrease the risk of cerebral thrombosis through its effect on whole blood viscosity, whereas it may increase the risk through its effects on blood coagulability, fibrinolytic activity, platelet aggregability and serum lipids.
In conclusion, excessive ethanol abuse may be a risk factor in the development of cerebral thrombosis.
