The effects of repeated binge drinking on arterial stiffness and urinary norepinephrine levels in young adults

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated binge drinking and moderate alcohol consumption in young adults on arterial stiffness and sympathetic activity. Methods: We enrolled 49 healthy young adults, free of cardiovascular diseases (25 men; age: 23.5 ± 0.4 years; BMI: 23.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2; mean ± S.E). Individuals included were those with a history of repeated binge drinking (>2 years duration; n = 20), drank at moderate levels (MODs,>5 years duration; n = 16) and abstained from alcohol (last 2–3 years; n = 13). Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and sympathetic activity was assessed using 24-h urinary norepinephrine levels. Also measured was aortic SBP and augmentation index (AIx), a measure of wave reflection. Results: Binge drinkers and MODs had higher cfPWV than alcohol abstainers (0.6 and 0.5 m/s, respectively; P ≤ 0.04). In addition, binge drinkers had higher urinary norepinephrine levels than MODs and alcohol abstainers (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL PAPERS: Organ damage Source Type: research