Epidemiologic studies point to a complex association between alcohol and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Frequent moderate consumption of alcohol, e.g., 1-2 drinks per day, is a negative risk factor for atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. On the other hand, binge drinking, i.e., consuming 5 or more drinks in a relatively short time period, is associated with increased CVD and associated mortality. The balance between alcohol and its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde, may be critical in mediating these seemingly opposite effects of the two drinking patterns. In agreement with epidemiologic studies, striking differential effects of daily moderate and binge alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) consumption on atherosclerotic plaque development, cholesterol levels and weight gain in a mouse model have recently been described. Intriguingly, the precise signaling and molecular mechanisms whereby alcohol elicits its cardiovascular effects, good and bad, have not yet been elucidated. One potentially novel target for alcohol is the Notch signaling pathway, as it is emerging that Notch plays a pivotal role in the differentiation of adul vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), whose growth and migration are key processes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and in restenosis. The expression of several components of the Notch pathway are enhanced following experimentally induced vascular injury while preferential inhibition of Notch 1, rather than Notch 3 attenuates neointimal formation. This lab's recently published data support an inhibitory effect of daily moderate alcohol treatment on SMC Notch 1 receptor levels and downstream target gene expression, concomitant with inhibition of SMC proliferation in vitro and marked attenuation of neointimal development and medial thickening in vivo. Interestingly, differential effects of alcohol and its metabolite, acetaldehyde on monocyte function have been reported. Moreover, our preliminary data now suggest that in apparent contrast to ethanol, acetaldehyde stimulates Notch expression and proliferation in SMC. Therefore, the central hypothesis of our application is that 'daily moderate'and 'binge'alcohol consumption have opposite effects on atherosclerotic plaque development mediated by differential effects of ethanol (anti-atherogenic), and its metabolite acetaldehyde (pro-atherogenic), on Notch signaling in vascular SMC. Because the mortality from cardiovascular disease is so high, deciphering the mechanisms whereby alcohol can either protect or exacerbate it is clearly of major clinical importance and significance.

Public Health Relevance

A dual effect of alcohol on cardiovascular disease has been reported with frequent moderate consumption being protective, while binge drinking exacerbates it. Our proposed experiments will provide exciting new mechanistic information central to our understanding of how these different drinking patterns may mediate their effects on vascular smooth muscle cells integral to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Deciphering the role of Notch signaling in mediating the effects of alcohol, good and bad, should enable the design of novel therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32AA022016-01
Application #
8456437
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Orosz, Andras
Project Start
2012-12-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2013-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$55,670
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Hatch, Ekaterina; Morrow, David; Liu, Weimin et al. (2015) Ethanol inhibits ?-secretase proteolytic activity in vascular smooth muscle cells. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 39:2115-22