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Gastroenterology and hepatology
Research
Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study
  1. Gautam Mehta1,
  2. Stewart Macdonald1,
  3. Alexandra Cronberg2,
  4. Matteo Rosselli1,
  5. Tanya Khera-Butler2,
  6. Colin Sumpter2,
  7. Safa Al-Khatib1,
  8. Anjly Jain3,
  9. James Maurice1,
  10. Christos Charalambous1,
  11. Amir Gander4,
  12. Cynthia Ju5,
  13. Talay Hakan6,
  14. Roy Sherwood7,
  15. Devaki Nair8,
  16. Rajiv Jalan1,
  17. Kevin P Moore1
  1. 1 Division of Medicine, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, London, UK
  2. 2 Camden and Islington Public Health, London, UK
  3. 3 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
  4. 4 UCL Tissue Access for Patient Benefit, London, UK
  5. 5 Department of Anesthesiology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
  6. 6 Department of Liver Transplantation, HPB and Hepatology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
  7. 7 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
  8. 8 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Gautam Mehta; gautam.mehta{at}ucl.ac.uk

Abstract

Objective To assess changes in metabolic risk factors and cancer-related growth factors associated with short-term abstinence from alcohol.

Design Prospective, observational study.

Setting Single tertiary centre.

Participants Healthy subjects were recruited based on intention to: (1) abstain from alcohol for 1 month (abstinence group), or (2) continue to drink alcohol (control group). Inclusion criteria were baseline alcohol consumption >64 g/week (men) or >48 g/week (women). Exclusion criteria were known liver disease or alcohol dependence.

Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was change in insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score). Secondary outcomes were changes in weight, blood pressure (BP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and liver function tests. Primary and secondary outcomes were adjusted for changes in diet, exercise and cigarette smoking.

Results The abstinence group comprised 94 participants (mean age 45.5 years, SD ±1.2) and the control group 47 participants (mean age 48.7 years, SD ±1.8). Baseline alcohol consumption in the abstinence group was 258.2 g/week, SD ±9.4, and in the control group 233.8 g, SD ±19.0. Significant reductions from baseline in the abstinence group (all p<0.001) were found in: HOMA score (−25.9%, IQR −48.6% to +0.3%), systolic BP (−6.6%, IQR −11.8% to 0.0%), diastolic BP (−6.3%, IQR −14.1% to +1.3%), weight (−1.5%, IQR −2.9% to −0.4%), VEGF (−41.8%, IQR −64.9% to −17.9%) and EGF (−73.9%, IQR −86.1% to −36.4%). None of these changes were associated with changes in diet, exercise or cigarette smoking. No significant changes from baseline in primary or secondary outcomes were noted in the control group.

Conclusion These findings demonstrate that abstinence from alcohol in moderate–heavy drinkers improves insulin resistance, weight, BP and cancer-related growth factors. These data support an independent association of alcohol consumption with cancer risk, and suggest an increased risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.

  • alcohol
  • insulin resistance
  • cancer
  • fatty liver

This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020673

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    Strengths and limitations of this study

    • Prospective study design.

    • Recruitment of a control group.

    • Thorough characterisation of the biological and lifestyle confounders.

    • Lack of randomisation to groups.

    • Study cohort all from university teaching hospital or science magazine.

    Introduction 

    Alcohol is a major cause of disability and preventable death. Globally, alcohol is the seventh leading risk factor overall in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and is the leading risk factor globally in working age individuals (ages 15–59). Moreover, alcohol use-attributable DALYs have increased by over 25% in the last 25 years.1 European countries have among the highest alcohol consumption. Eastern Europe has the highest per capita consumption worldwide,2 and in the UK over 25% of the adult population drink in excess of recommended guidelines.3

    Aside from liver disease, which is the third most common cause of preventable death in the UK, there is also a significant burden from alcohol-related cancer and metabolic syndrome.3 Alcohol has been classified by the WHO as a class I carcinogen for some decades, and a report from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research states that there is convincing evidence that alcohol is causally related to cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast and colorectum.4

    Moreover, it has long been recognised that there is an important interaction between alcohol misuse and fatty liver disease.5 One of the main factors driving the development of fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis is insulin resistance. Thus, any action that improves insulin resistance will have a major impact on the development and severity of fatty liver disease. However, there remains debate as to the impact of alcohol consumption on fatty liver disease driven predominantly by insulin resistance and metabolic factors.6 7

    In this climate of increased awareness of alcohol-related morbidity, the UK Chief Medical Officers have revised downwards their weekly guidance limits.8 Additionally, public health campaigns, where non-dependent drinkers are encouraged to commit to short-term abstinence from alcohol, are increasingly common. The aim of this study was to assess changes in insulin resistance, metabolic risk factors and cancer-related growth factors with short-term abstinence from alcohol in moderate drinkers.

    Methods

    Study design

    This was a single-centre, prospective, observational study conducted at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Study recruitment was initiated through email advertising within University College London, Queen Mary University of London and New Scientist Magazine. The entry criteria were baseline alcohol consumption of >64 g/week (eight units) for men or >48 g/week (six units) for women. Exclusion criteria were >3 days abstinence from alcohol prior to commencement of the study, the presence of known liver disease or alcohol dependence. Participants were not randomised to group, but were allocated based on intention to maintain abstinence for 1 month (abstinence group) or to continue alcohol consumption (control group).

    Participants were assessed at baseline, and after 1 month. The primary outcome was change in insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score) at baseline and 1 month. Secondary outcomes were changes in weight, blood pressure (BP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and liver function tests. Information on diet, exercise and smoking history were obtained by self-reporting using components of the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ).9 Self-reported alcohol intake was assessed at baseline using the full Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire, and a direct interview by a single interviewer (KM) was also conducted to assess alcohol intake over the preceding 2 months, using the timeline follow back method.10 Additionally, a follow-up telephone interview was conducted at 6–8 months to determine drinking habits following the study period, using the full AUDIT questionnaire (modified to capture data for the preceding 6–8 months).

    Sample size calculation for the control group was performed, based on pre/post data acquired from the abstinence group (table 1). Specifically, based on these data, a power calculation determined that the following sample sizes were required to detect statistically significant differences of the same magnitude (80% power, alpha 5%, two-sided test): HOMA score n=47, weight n=21, VEGF n=31, EGF n=30.

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Baseline and 1 month variables for abstinence and control groups

    BP was measured seated, following a 2 min rest period, and the mean of three measurements was recorded. Fasting blood was taken, between 08:00 and midday, for measurement of glucose, insulin, liver function tests, lipids, carbohydrate deficient transferrin (abstinence group only) and VEGF (isoforms 165, 145 and 121) and EGF (Randox Investigator, Randox, Belfast, UK). The HOMA score was calculated according to the methods of Matthews et al.11 Participants with diabetes requiring treatment were excluded from HOMA measurements.

    Statistical analysis

    Baseline and 1-month differences were analysed by paired t-test for normally distributed differences in continuous variables, by Wilcoxon signed-rank test for non-normally distributed differences in continuous variables, and differences in categorical variables by Χ2 test. Differences between abstinence and control groups were analysed by unpaired t-test for normally distributed variables, and Mann-Whitney test for variables that were not normally distributed. Lifestyle factors were categorically graded (better/same/worse), and delta change in biological variables between lifestyle groups was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was also used to test the effect of abstinence on improvement in HOMA, weight, BP, VEGF and EGF once other lifestyle factors (diet and exercise) were taken into account. Correlation between biological variables was assessed by Spearman’s correlation. All analyses were performed using STATA V.13.1 and SPSS Statistics V.21.0. SD is reported for means and IQR for medians where applicable. All p values are two sided; p<0.01 was considered significant to account for multiple comparisons.

    Patient and public involvement

    The research question was developed following public feedback to a pilot project, conducted in collaboration with, and published by, New Scientist magazine (New Scientist, 31 December 2013). Additionally, the research question was informed by focus groups, funded through the National Institute for Health Research Enabling Involvement Fund. No specific patient advisers were involved in the design or conduct of the study. Results of the study will be disseminated to all participants by email.

    Results

    Ninety-seven participants were recruited to the abstinence group, and forty-eight participants to the control group. Three subjects in the abstinence group and one subject in the control group did not attend for follow-up. Thus, the final abstinence group comprised 94 participants (43 men, 51 women) mean age 45.5 years, SD ±1.2, and the control group comprised 47 participants (22 men, 25 women) mean age 48.7 years, SD ±1.8. Mean baseline alcohol intake for the abstinence group was 258.2 g/week, SD ±9.4 (men 275.9, SD ±25.5; women 243.1, SD ±12.8). All subjects in this group, except one individual, remained abstinent for the study period—this participant was included in all analyses. Mean weekly baseline alcohol intake for the control group was 233.8 g, SD ±19.0 (men 270.2, SD ±26.6; women 200.2, SD ±25.8), and was not significantly different at 1 month 260.1 g, SD ±20.8 (men 286.4, SD ±26.6; women 235.8, SD ±31.1), p=0.11. A flowchart of participants and observations is shown in figure 1.

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Flow chart of study participants.

    Baseline and 1-month variables for the abstinence and control groups are listed in table 1. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between abstinence and control groups, aside from baseline BP which was significantly lower in the control group (systolic BP: 135.8 SD ±1.9 mm Hg vs 125.7 SD ±2.0 mm Hg, p<0.01; diastolic BP: 87.7 SD ±1.2 mm Hg vs 74.3.7 SD ±1.5 mm Hg, p<0.01). Antihypertensives were used in one participant in the abstinence group, and one participant in the control group. Lipid-lowering agents were used in two participants in the abstinence group, one subject in the control group. These participants were excluded from analyses for BP and lipids, respectively. Significant reductions from baseline (pre vs post) in the abstinence group were observed in: HOMA score (−25.9%, IQR −48.6 to +0.3%), systolic BP (−6.6%, IQR −11.8% to 0.0%), diastolic BP (−6.3%, IQR −14.1% to +1.3%) and weight (−1.5%, IQR −2.9% to −0.4%). HOMA score was not performed due to type 1 diabetes in one participant in the abstinence group. By chance, no participants had type 2 diabetes. Levels of VEGF and EGF also markedly reduced in the abstinence group, at −41.8% (IQR −64.9% to −17.9%) and −73.9% (IQR −86.1% to −36.4%) respectively (figure 2). Serum lipids (pre vs post) also improved in the abstinence group: fasting total serum cholesterol (−13.4%, IQR −18.9% to −2.7%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (−9.4%, IQR −20.1% to +4.8%), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (−16.7%, IQR −25.0% to 0.0%). All the above variables were significantly reduced from baseline, p<0.001. By contrast, the control group did not show significant changes from baseline in any of the above variables. Changes from baseline in HOMA score, VEGF, EGF, weight and systolic and diastolic BP are shown in figure 3.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Baseline and 1-month data for the abstinence group presented as pre/post scatter plot (left) and bar chart chart (right). Bar chart data are presented as median (IQR). Panels (clockwise from top right): homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score, weight, diastolic blood pressure (bp), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), systolic bp. Baseline and 1-month values were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.01 taken as level of significance.

    Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Percentage change from baseline in homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), systolic blood pressure (bp), diastolic bp and weight in abstinence (dark bar) and control (light bar) groups. Data are presented as median (IQR). Changes from baseline in abstinence and control groups were compared with Mann-Whitney test, p<0.01 taken as level of significance.

    Liver function tests also improved in the abstinence group; thus, there was a significant reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (−14.5%, IQR −28.9 to +6.7%, p<0.001) and gamma GT (−28.6%, IQR −43.5 to −14.4%, p<0.001), and a trend towards reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (−5.4%, IQR −16.two to +9.5%, p=0.03). No significant change in these variables was seen in the control group, aside from a small rise in AST (+4.5%, IQR −5.6 to +23.1%, p<0.01).

    Lifestyle factors did not account for changes in the abstinence group. No changes were seen in exercise score (10.9 SD ±4.7 vs 10.7 SD ±4.6, p=0.82) or cigarette smoking (1.3 SD ±0.7 vs 1.4 SD ±0.7, p=0.17). A small change in diet score was noted (from 8.2 SD ±3.3 to 8.8 SD ±3.0, p=0.03). The pre/post differences in HOMA score, weight, VEGF, EGF, triglycerides and HDL were distributed with a left (negative) skew. Therefore, non-parametric approaches were adopted to account for lifestyle variables. Changes in HOMA score, BP and weight in the abstinence group were not associated with changes in any lifestyle score (see online supplementary table 1). There was also no association between changes in HOMA score and weight (r=0.04, p=0.73). However, changes in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol attained borderline significance between groups when compared by change in diet in the abstinence group (see online supplementary table 1; p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively).

    Supplementary file 1

    Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used across the whole cohort, combining the abstinence and control groups, to determine predictors of: HOMA score reduction ≥20%, systolic BP reduction ≥5%, weight reduction ≥2%, VEGF reduction ≥20%, EGF reduction ≥20%. The model used covariates of abstinence (yes/no) or change in exercise and diet SLIQ score (better/same/worse). Abstinence was a highly significant predictor of improvement in these biological variables (all p<0.01). By contrast, change in exercise and diet score was not associated with improvement in any of these variables (table 2).

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Independent predictors of improvement in HOMA score, systolic BP, weight, VEGF and EGF

    A further important result relates to follow-up questionnaire data, obtained in 77 individuals (81.9%) in the abstinence group and 40 (83.3%) in the control group, at 6–8 months following the study period. In the abstinence group, a significant reduction in alcohol consumption was maintained from their prestudy assessment. Thus, there was a significant reduction in overall AUDIT score from 10.0 (IQR 7.0 to 15.0) to 7.0 (IQR 5.0 to 9.0), p<0.001, and in the proportion of individuals with harmful use of alcohol (AUDIT score >8) (61.0% vs 28.5%, p<0.001) at 6–8 months compared with baseline. By contrast, in the control group, there was a non-significant trend to reduction in overall AUDIT score from 8.5 (IQR 6.3 to 12.0) to 8.0 (IQR 6.0 to 10.8), p=0.06), and no significant change in the proportion with harmful use (50% vs 40%, p=0.37).

    Discussion

    This study is the first to comprehensively assess the effects of short-term abstinence from alcohol in a population of ‘healthy’ individuals, who are representative of the 25% of the wider population who drink alcohol above national guidelines. The key findings of this study are improvements in insulin resistance, BP, body weight and a decrease in circulating concentrations of cancer-related growth factors following a month of abstinence from alcohol.

    The strengths of this study are the prospective study design, the recruitment of a control group and the thorough characterisation of the participant’s biological and lifestyle data. A weakness is the lack of randomisation of groups, although for ethical reasons the allocation of individuals to a predefined alcohol consumption regimen was inappropriate. A further weakness relates to the study cohort, who were recruited through staff at university teaching hospitals and a science magazine, and thus probably had higher educational attainment and health-related motivation than the average population. A further confounder is the possibility of lifestyle change in the abstinence group, alongside abstinence from alcohol. We have tried to minimise the impact of these using the SLIQ questionnaire, a self-reported measure of lifestyle factors contributing to metabolic risk with good retest reliability.9 As such, changes in HOMA score, weight and BP were independent of changes in lifestyle as measured by the SLIQ score. Nevertheless, it remains possible that the questionnaire scoring for diet, exercise and cigarette smoking has inadequate sensitivity for all lifestyle changes within this cohort.

    The primary endpoint of insulin resistance, measured by HOMA score, showed a marked decrease (~25%) following the cessation of alcohol consumption. Some previous epidemiological data have supported a protective effect of low-dose alcohol use on the risk of type 2 diabetes,12 although more recent work suggests this may be due to incomplete adjustment for ‘sick quitters’,13 and prospective alcohol intervention studies have provided mixed results.14 15 Our data support a positive association of moderate–heavy alcohol use with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the observed effects of abstinence on HOMA score noted in this study are too dramatic to be accounted for by weight loss alone, and no specific association was found between change in HOMA score and weight. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to prospectively demonstrate a link between excess alcohol consumption and insulin resistance.

    A major novel finding of this study is the rapid decrease in serum VEGF and EGF with short-term abstinence from alcohol, which was seen in 90% of subjects in the abstinence group. Importantly, these changes were not seen in the control group with continued alcohol consumption. Alcohol is causally related to the development of several cancers, including the digestive tract, nasopharynx, liver and breast, and is classified as a class I carcinogen.4 16 The increased risk caused by alcohol persists even at low levels of consumption. The mechanism of mutagenesis is thought to relate to direct effects of the alcohol metabolite, acetaldehyde.4 However, in this study, we chose to study VEGF and EGF, since they are key molecules in the multistep progression of cancer, are both highly expressed in the solid tumours listed above and are common therapeutic targets for these tumours.17 VEGF plays a key role in tumour progression through angiogenic pathways, and VEGF expression is driven by oncogene expression (eg, Ras, src, HER2, EGFR).18 EGF signalling contributes to oncogenesis by directly promoting cell proliferation,19 and expression levels are correlated with progressive tumour growth and metastasis.20–22

    Mechanistically, rodent models have demonstrated that alcohol exposure directly promotes the progression of several cancers, including breast cancer. Lu et al have shown, in a mouse model of breast cancer, that alcohol directly induces tumour angiogenesis and accelerated tumour growth through a VEGF-dependent mechanism.23 Similar evidence for an alcohol-VEGF pathway exists in mouse models of colon cancer and melanoma.24 25 The EGF pathway has also been implicated in alcohol-related breast cancer.26–28 The baseline levels of VEGF and EGF reported in this study are lower than reported in other studies exploring associations of circulating VEGF/EGF levels with the occurrence of solid tumours.29–31 These differences are explained by the method of sample collection. The collection of blood into EDTA tubes, as in this study, leads to reduced contribution of platelet-derived VEGF and EGF, and thus lower plasma concentrations.32 33

    Here, we demonstrate for the first time in humans an association of abstinence from alcohol with a marked reduction in circulating concentrations of VEGF and EGF, which suggests that alcohol consumption per se increases the concentrations of these growth factors. There is strong evidence that these growth factors play an important role in oncogenesis. However, it would be wrong to speculate further on this observation without longitudinal study in subjects who continue moderate alcohol consumption.

    These data also show the dynamic effect of regular alcohol consumption on BP, an effect that is maintained in healthy individuals with no history of hypertension requiring medication. An effect of alcohol on BP has long been recognised, with consumption greater than two daily doses considered to be one of the most common reversible causes of hypertension.34

    Collectively, the above findings have implications for the risk of synergistic liver injury among individuals with risk factors for alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and fatty liver disease. Previous studies have emphasised an association between these pathways of liver injury, since serum ALT among moderate drinkers is elevated to a greater extent in those with higher body mass index (BMI), and ALD and fatty liver are pathologically similar. Two prospective cohort studies from Scotland have demonstrated an increased risk of liver disease with alcohol use and elevated BMI.35 More recently, a large prospective study of over 100 000 women in the UK confirmed a synergistic association between alcohol and high BMI and risk of chronic liver disease.36 Since alcohol use and insulin resistance are both directly implicated in the development of steatohepatitis, the results of this study provide further support for this common causal pathway. Further, changes in the gut microbiome have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis and obesity,37 and therefore changes in gut microbe populations following abstinence from alcohol are a further possible explanation for the biological changes observed in this study. These hypotheses merit further attention in subsequent mechanistic studies.

    A frequent criticism of public health strategies of short-term abstinence (eg, Dry January) has been the lack of evidence of health benefits, or even negative effects on longer-term alcohol consumption.

    Although this study has demonstrated health benefits from short-term abstinence, a possible misrepresentation of these results is the concept that a ’detox' period is all that is required to ’refresh' the liver or achieve other health gains. This is clearly untrue, since the durability of the observed biological effects remains to be established. The data presented here provide supportive mechanistic evidence for the recent changes in alcohol guidance due to cancer risk, and the synergistic relationship between alcohol and metabolic syndrome. Further attention should be directed to determining the durability of these biological effects of abstinence, and conveying these complex public health messages to the public.

    Acknowledgments

    Administrative support for the study was provided by Patricia Langley.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors GM contributed to the study design, participated in data collection, wrote the analytical plan and drafted and revised the paper. He is the guarantor. SM participated in the study design, participated in data collection and drafted and revised the paper. AC and TK-B analysed the data, and drafted and revised the paper. CS participated in study design and revision of the paper. MR, SA-K, AJ, CC, JM, AG and TH participated in data collection and revision of the paper. CJ, RS, DN and RJ contributed to the study design and revision of the paper. KM supervised the study, contributed to the study design, participated in data collection and drafted and revised the paper.

    • Funding This work was funded by the Royal Free Charity, Camden and Islington Public Health and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Not required.

    • Ethics approval NRES Committee North West (14/NW/1510).

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data sharing statement All raw data are available on request from the corresponding author.