Alcohol Impairs the Body's Ability to Fight
Off Viral Infection, According To New Study
Off Viral Infection, According To New Study
Alcohol can worsen the effects of disease, ultimately resulting in a longer recovery period after trauma, injury or burns. Alcohol is also known to impair the anti-viral immune response, especially in the liver, including response against Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV.
New research published in BioMed Central's journal BMC Immunology
shows that alcohol modulates the anti-viral and inflammatory functions
of monocytes and that prolonged alcohol consumption has a double
negative effect of reducing the anti-viral effect of Type 1 interferon (IFN)
whilst increasing inflammation via the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα.
shows that alcohol modulates the anti-viral and inflammatory functions
of monocytes and that prolonged alcohol consumption has a double
negative effect of reducing the anti-viral effect of Type 1 interferon (IFN)
whilst increasing inflammation via the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα.
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School
examined the effect of alcohol on monocytes collected from the blood
of healthy volunteers. The team focussed specifically on two disease
related pathways: the first (Toll-like receptor 8-TLR8) stimulated by
single strand RNA viral attack and the second (TLR4) is involved in
recognizing bacteria.
examined the effect of alcohol on monocytes collected from the blood
of healthy volunteers. The team focussed specifically on two disease
related pathways: the first (Toll-like receptor 8-TLR8) stimulated by
single strand RNA viral attack and the second (TLR4) is involved in
recognizing bacteria.
Their results showed that activation of these pathways resulted in an
increase in the levels of the anti-viral cytokine IFN, however this was
reduced by treatment with alcohol equivalent to four or five drinks a
day for seven days.
increase in the levels of the anti-viral cytokine IFN, however this was
reduced by treatment with alcohol equivalent to four or five drinks a
day for seven days.
Similarly stimulation of these pathways resulted in an increase in the
levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. However, while a single
treatment with alcohol decreased the amount of TNFα, prolonged
treatment increased levels of inflammation.
levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. However, while a single
treatment with alcohol decreased the amount of TNFα, prolonged
treatment increased levels of inflammation.
The researchers said, "Alcohol has a profound effect of inhibiting IFN
production in monocytes regardless of whether the danger signal is
intracellular (TLR8) or surface-derived (TLR4). Such a reduction would
impair the body's ability to fight off infection.
Additionally, the fact that Type I IFN production is depressed despite
increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, due to chronic
alcohol exposure suggests that prolonged alcohol must change the
immune balance of monocyte activation and impair host response to
single-stranded virus infection like hepatitis C."
production in monocytes regardless of whether the danger signal is
intracellular (TLR8) or surface-derived (TLR4). Such a reduction would
impair the body's ability to fight off infection.
Additionally, the fact that Type I IFN production is depressed despite
increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, due to chronic
alcohol exposure suggests that prolonged alcohol must change the
immune balance of monocyte activation and impair host response to
single-stranded virus infection like hepatitis C."
Story Source: BioMed Central
Journal Reference: "Inhibition of TLR8- and TLR4-induced Type I IFN
induction by alcohol is different from its effects on inflammatory cytokine
production in monocytes" BMC Immunology, 2011;
induction by alcohol is different from its effects on inflammatory cytokine
production in monocytes" BMC Immunology, 2011;
BioMed Central (2011, October 2). Alcohol impairs the body's ability to
fight off viral infection, study finds.
fight off viral infection, study finds.
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