ANTI-LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN ANTIBODIES IN ALCOHOLICS WITHOUT AND WITH LIVER DISEASE AND IN SOCIAL DRINKERS

Antibodies directed to native and to in-vitro acetaldehyde-modified (ethylated) low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were determined in 28 alcoholic subjects divided into two groups: one with do clinical nor laboratory evidence of liver involvement and the second with histologically proven alcohol-related liver disease. The control group consisted of 18 individuals who drank alcohol socially. In the individuals with alcoholic liver disease igG reactivity against both native and ethylated LDL was significantly higher than in alcoholic individuals without liver injury. High levels of IgG reactivity in individuals with alcoholic liver disease were also observed against malondialdehyde-modified, methylated, acetylated and carbamylated LDL. A selective high anti-ethylated LDL IgG reactivity was observed in 11% of control subjects.