The Immune System through the Lens of Alcohol Intake and Gut Microbiota PMC

In vitro studies have shown that acetaldehyde modulates cytokine production by astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner (Sarc, Wraber et al. 2011). Specifically, 24 hours of exposure to both low (1mM) and high (5mM) concentrations of acetaldehyde stimulate IL-6 secretion, however, 7 days of exposure to the high concentration of acetaldehyde, significantly decrease IL-6 secretion (Sarc, Wraber et al. 2011). In contrast, both acute (24 hours) and prolonged (7 days) exposure to low and high concentrations of acetaldehyde reduce TNF-α secretion by primary rat astrocyte (Sarc, Wraber et al. 2011). The main products of the fermentation of dietary fiber, SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate principally) are considered as one of the main direct or indirect mediators of microbiota–gut–brain interactions [72]. The highest production of SCFAs occurs in the proximal colon, where they are quickly and efficiently absorbed, since only 10% of the acids are excreted with the feces [73].

• Moreover, significant dysregulation of genes critically involved in wound healing, blood coagulation, cancer, cardiovascular, and lung diseases was shown in chronic heavy drinkers [51,52].
• In addition, such studies could reveal the pathways that are modified by moderate alcohol consumption to enhance immune response to vaccination.
• If you use alcohol, try to keep it to one drink a day for women and two drinks for men.
• Alcohol can have a range of harmful effects on the body, which can diminish a person’s immune response and put them more at risk for COVID-19.
• Taken together, all these findings suggest that in utero exposure to ethanol may increase the risk for infections during early childhood or adulthood as a result of alcohol-induced defects in B-cell and T-cell development.

In a carrageenan air pouch model of mice subjected to bolus injection of alcohol (1.5 g/kg) and with LPS (1 ug/mL) afterward, the expression of adhesion molecules was investigated [201]. Alcohol inhibits TNF-mediated cell activation significantly and reduces leukocyte recruitment up to 90%. More distinctively, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM1, and E-selectin, as well as chemokines like CXCL8, MCP-1, and RANTES (“Regulated And Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted”, also known as CCL-5) are significantly reduced [201]. In another model of acute alcohol exposure, injection of 5.5 g/kg alcohol intraperitoneally significantly prevents the E. Coli endotoxin-induced (112.5 ug/rat) expression of CD11b/c and CD18 on PMNs [202].

How Alcohol Can Affect Your Immune System

Finally, exposure to ethanol concentrations of 0.4 to 2 percent had a more profound effect on apoptosis of cultured thymocytes than on mature T cells (Slukvin and Jerrells 1995). All of these studies demonstrate that ethanol interferes with normal thymocyte function and maturation into T cells in a variety of ways. Several lines of evidence show that the number and function of B-cells are reduced by chronic alcohol. For example, chronic alcoholics exhibit loss of B-cells in the periphery and a reduced capacity to generate protective antibodies (Cook et al. 1996). In addition, chronic alcohol can decrease the number of B-cells that produce an antibody type called IgA5 in one of the layers of mucous membranes (i.e., the lamina propria), which is indicative of altered mucosal immunity (Lopez et al. 1994). Finally, alcohol inhibits the responsiveness of B-cells at certain developmental stages (i.e., blasts, which are the precursors to the antibody-secreting plasma cells) to various cytokines, particularly to IL-2 and IL-4.

• It is also critical to take into consideration that the effects of ethanol on immune function in vivo could involve the actions of its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde.
• Past research shows alcohol consumption leads to more severe lung diseases, like adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other pulmonary diseases, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, and respiratory syncytial virus.

These gut commensals play an important role in specific functions like nutrient and drug metabolism, protection against pathogens, maintenance of structural integrity of gut mucosal barrier, among others [5,6]. In conclusion, alcohol in its acute use is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and ameliorates the TLR4-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine response. In contrast, chronic alcohol consumption increases the sensitivity of TLR, subsequently leading to the higher expression of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNFα). Alcohol has a broad range of effects on the structural, cellular, and humoral components of the immune system. T and B cell activation in the presence of retinoic acid results in the up-regulation of gut-homing molecules and generation of IgA-secreting B cells (Mora, Iwata et al. 2008). Consequently, deficiency in vitamin A results in the impairment of mucosal responses (Mora, Iwata et al. 2008).

Impact of AUD on Adaptive Immune Responses

That said, evidence also shows that even smaller does alcohol compromise your immune system amounts of alcohol can affect the immune system.

Alcoholic beverages are energy dense and often become the primary energy source in those with AUD, leading to malnutrition. Individuals with AUD are often deficient in one or more essential nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, and thiamine (Hoyumpa 1986). These micronutrients have been shown to play an important role in immune system homeostasis and response to infection (Mora, Iwata et al. 2008). Catalase is localized to peroxisomes and requires hydrogen peroxide to oxidize alcohol into water and acetaldehyde.

Impact of AUD on T Cells

Alcohol modifies the intestinal microbiota, pH and permeability of the intestine, causing an increased entry of endotoxins into our CNS and brain, leading to neuroinflammatory processes. Alcohol abuse represents a risk factor for liver diseases, such as alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis [37] in such a way that approximately 25% of heavy drinkers develop clinically alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Just overdoing it once slows your body’s ability to fight germs for up to 24 hours. That may be part of the reason you’re more likely to get illnesses like liver disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and certain cancers.

Things like trouble concentration, slow reflexes and sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds are standard signs of a hangover, and evidence of alcohol’s effects on your brain. Having a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at a party here and there isn’t going to destroy your gut. But even low amounts of daily drinking and prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can lead to significant problems for your digestive system. When you drink too much alcohol, it can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. But there’s plenty of research to back up the notion that alcohol does lead to weight gain in general. Your liver detoxifies and removes alcohol from your blood through a process known as oxidation.