This Article Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van de Borne, P. Articles by Somers, V. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by van de Borne, P. Articles by Somers, V. K. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB ETHANOL

(Hypertension. 1997;29:1278-1283.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

Effects of Alcohol on Sympathetic Activity, Hemodynamics, and Chemoreflex Sensitivity

Philippe van de Borne; Allyn L. Mark; Nicola Montano; Decio Mion; ; Virend K. Somers

From the Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, and Centro Ricerche Cardiovascolari, CNR, Medicina Interna II, Ospedale "L. Sacco," Universita di Milano (Italy) (N.M.).

Correspondence to Virend Somers, MD, PhD, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242.

Abstract Alcohol intake has been shown to worsen obstructive sleep apnea and increase nocturnal hypoxemia. The mechanisms of this action are unclear. Animal studies suggest that a reduction in chemoreflex sensitivity may be implicated. Using a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled design, we tested the hypothesis that oral alcohol intake depresses chemoreflex sensitivity in humans. We examined the effects of oral alcohol intake (1.0 g/kg body wt) on blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, forearm vascular resistance, and minute ventilation in 16 normal male subjects. Peripheral and central chemoreflex sensitivity were measured in response to hypoxia (n=10) and hypercapnia (n=6), respectively. Plasma alcohol increased from 0 to 23.2±1.5 mmol/L (107±7 mg/dL) at 60 minutes and 20.2±1 mmol/L (93±4 mg/dL) at 85 minutes after alcohol intake (P<.0001). Alcohol induced an increase in heart rate from 59±2 to 66±2 beats per minute (P<.01) and increased the ratio of low- to high-frequency variability of heart rate (P<.05). Although alcohol increased sympathetic nerve activity by up to 239±22% of baseline values (P<.01), forearm vascular resistance after alcohol was lower than that after vehicle (P<.05). Blood pressure did not increase compared with the vehicle session. Oxygen saturation during hypoxia after alcohol was 4±1% lower than it was during hypoxia after vehicle (P<.05) although arterial blood PO₂ was unchanged. Alcohol did not affect the cardiovascular, sympathetic, or ventilatory responses to either hypoxia or hypercapnia. Acute increases in plasma alcohol increase heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity; blood pressure is not increased, probably because of vasodilator effects of alcohol. Alcohol does not alter chemoreflex responses to hypoxia or hypercapnia; thus, alterations in chemoreflex sensitivity are unlikely to explain the effects of alcohol on sleep apnea. Alcohol may reduce the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

Key Words: alcohol • blood pressure • anoxia • hypercapnia • autonomic nervous system • sympathetic nervous system

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Sidi, B. Naik, J. D. Muehlschlegel, D. S. Kirby, and E. B. Lobato Ethanol-induced acute pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in pigs Br. J. Anaesth., April 1, 2008; 100(4): 568 - 569. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Spaak, A. C. Merlocco, G. J. Soleas, G. Tomlinson, B. L. Morris, P. Picton, C. F. Notarius, C. T. Chan, and J. S. Floras Dose-related effects of red wine and alcohol on hemodynamics, sympathetic nerve activity, and arterial diameter Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2008; 294(2): H605 - H612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Haentjens, A. Van Meerhaeghe, A. Moscariello, S. De Weerdt, K. Poppe, A. Dupont, and B. Velkeniers The Impact of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Evidence From a Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trials Arch Intern Med, April 23, 2007; 167(8): 757 - 764. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Tawakol, T. Omland, and M. A. Creager Direct effect of ethanol on human vascular function Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2004; 286(6): H2468 - H2473. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Masters and J. S. Stevenson A Theoretical Model of the Role of Brain Stem Nuclei in Alcohol-Mediated Arrhythmogenesis in Older Adults Biol Res Nurs, January 1, 2003; 4(3): 218 - 231. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. Garcia-Rio, J.M. Pino, T. Ramirez, D. Alvaro, A. Alonso, C. Villasante, and J. Villamor Inspiratory neural drive response to hypoxia adequately estimates peripheral chemosensitivity in OSAHS patients Eur. Respir. J., September 1, 2002; 20(3): 724 - 732. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Narkiewicz, R. L. Cooley, and V. K. Somers Alcohol Potentiates Orthostatic Hypotension : Implications for Alcohol-Related Syncope Circulation, February 1, 2000; 101(4): 398 - 402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]