ALCOHOL, HYPERTENSION AND ALBUMINURIA "AHA"-SYNDROMES
Dr.med Ruth-Maria Korth, Forschung in der Allgemeinmedizin F.I.D.A., www.fida-aha.com.

Introduction: Alcohol is causatively involved in synthesis of etherphospholipids (LA-paf, lysopaf) and triggers the novel "AHA"-syndromes. Serum albumin carried lysopaf from inside the vessels out during disturbance of endothelial barriers e.g. in kidneys and in the brain in the onset of hypertension or mental disorders and dementia (1-4). Dr.med Ruth-Maria Korth developed dietary supplements (fida®-ginkgoloides, 5) and offers here a documentation for self-control of daily alcohol consumption.

Summary: Informed persons were investigated to gain knowledge about the role of alcohol for hypertension and vascular disorders (n=230). Diabetes mellitus was excluded. Blood pressure, clinical chemistry and urine samples of persons with self-confirmed alcohol abuse were tested (middle class fifties). Elevated blood pressure, triglycerides and liver values or intolerance to glucose with still normal fasting blood glucose, obesity (BMI I+II) and proteins in the morning urines were found (4). Persons with same age and nicotine abuse without alcohol consumption (>20 cig/die) had normal urine samples. Healthy persons with intolerance to glucose without alcohol consumption had also normal values.

Methods: Blood pressure was measured after 5 min resting and clinical chemistry after 12 h fasting. Albuminuria was tested in samples of the first morning urines on three days within one week once a year (Microalbustix, Bayer). Urine sedimentation was analyzed in cases of hematuria (Combur 9, Roche). Data were confidentially documented in a praxis for primary care.

Results: Group 1 were persons with self-confirmed alcohol abuse for more than 5 years (>60 g/die, n=20 of 2500, male/female: 8/2, 45±12 years) showing elevated blood pressure, high triglycerides and rate of albuminuria ("AHA1"-syndrome, Table). Fasting blood glucose was normal (< 110 mg/dl, HbA-1c < 6 %, CRP < 0.6 mg/dl). The 1-year follow up test showed that a group 1A could reduce alcohol (50% < 60 g/day) after medical counseling showing normal urine samples and normal blood pressure (123±12/82±10 mmHg, ±1 S.D.). Group 1B with alcohol abuse confirmed "AHA1"-syndrome with hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and albuminuria (>60 g/day, 155±14/99±8 mmHg). Group 2 with heavy alcohol abuse (>80 g/day, 51±14 years, male/female: 6/3) showed hypertension and albuminuria (47±29 mg/l) with hematuria (80%), erythrocytes and hyaline casts in urine sedimentations ("AHA2"-syndrome). Group 3 were healthy smokers who did not drink alcohol because of their religion (20 cig./day, 45±14 years, male/female: 9/1) with normal values. Group 4 were healthy middle class persons with moderate overweight and light alcohol consumption (BMI I+II: 28±3 kg/m2>25, 20-40 g alcohol/day, 44±7 years, n=34). Pregnant women with reversible glucose intolerance had normal blood pressure and normal urine samples (shown in www.fidabus.com, 4). They did not drink alcohol.

Table: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4
Alcohol g/day: 60-100 >130 0 <30
Triglycerides >175 mg/dl: 270±82 150±54 108±46 98±21
LDL/HDL<3: 2.6±0.8 2.2±1.7 2.4±0.7 2.2±0.2
GGT >28 U/l: 48±16 103±59 14±3 8±3
Syst. Blood pressure mmHg: 145±22 160±18 126±19 118±3
Diast. blood pressure mmHg: 89±13 100±17 85±9 85±7
Nicotine: 50% 50% 100% 0
Albuminuria >= 20 mg/l: 50% 80% 0 0

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption could trigger hypertriglyceridemia ("AHA1") and/or hypertension with albuminuria and hematuria showing severe damage of renal endothelial barriers ("AHA2"). Confidential medical counseling, dietary supplements with ginkgoloides (5) and documented self control benefit.

1) R. Korth et.al., Chem.Phys.Lipids 70: 109, 1994;
2) R. Korth et al., Biochem.Pharmacol.49: 1793, 1995;
3) R.-M.Korth, Faseb J.14: A72, 2000;
4) R.-M.Korth, Recent Res.Devel.Lipids 5: 61, 2001;
5) R.-M. Korth: DE 297 00 734; European Patent 0459432, EP 0312913, EP 0540767; Japanese Patent No. 2 539 257; US Patent No. 5 895 785.