Genetics
CETP B2 allele raises HDL cholesterol in diabetic men, but moderate alcohol intake shows no benefit unlike in non-diabetics (Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1998)
Original title: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is related to the TaqIB cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphism and smoking, but not to moderate alcohol consumption in insulin-dependent diabetic men
Since HDL-cholesterol is typically raised by alcohol and lowered by smoking in non-diabetic subjects, this study evaluated the effects of moderate alcohol consumption, the CETP B1B2 polymorphism, and clinical variables on HDL-cholesterol in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) men, comparing 13 moderate alcohol users (median 17 g/day) to 13 abstainers individually matched for CETP genotype and clinical factors including smoking. HDL-cholesterol, apoAI, and CETP activity were nearly identical between alcohol users and abstainers (all non-significant). Multiple regression showed HDL-cholesterol was positively associated with the presence of the B2 allele (0.23 mmol/L higher per allele, p=0.004) and negatively with smoking (0.15 mmol/L lower per 10 cigarettes daily, p=0.011), but not with alcohol consumption (p=0.66). The authors conclude moderate alcohol has no beneficial lipoprotein effect in IDDM men, while HDL-cholesterol is adversely affected by smoking and substantially explained by CETP genotype.
Original abstract
In non-diabetic subjects, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level is increased by alcohol and decreased by smoking. The biallelic B1B2 polymorphism of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene is a genetic determinant of HDL cholesterol. We evaluated the effect of moderate alcohol consumption, the CETP gene polymorphism and clinical variables on HDL cholesterol and other lipoprotein parameters in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) men. Thirteen moderate alcohol using IDDM men (median alcohol consumption 17 g/d) and 13 abstainers, individually matched for the CETP gene polymorphism and clinical factors including smoking, were studied. HDL cholesterol, serum apo AI and serum CETP activity levels were very similar in alcohol users compared to abstainers (1.36 +/- 0.28 vs 1.36 +/- 0.36 mmol l-1, 1.71 +/- 0.31 vs 1.75 +/- 0.33 g l-1 and 134 +/- 27 vs 138 +/- 53 nmol l-1h-1, respectively, n.s. for all). No significant differences in apo B-containing lipoproteins were observed. Multiple regression analysis (multiple r = 0.68) showed that HDL cholesterol was positively associated with the presence of the B2 allele (0.23 mmol l-1 higher for each B2 allele present, p = 0.004) and negatively with smoking (0.15 mmol l-1 lower per 10 cigarettes smoked daily, p = 0.011), but not with alcohol consumption (p = 0.66). This study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption has no beneficial effect on the lipoprotein profile in IDDM men. HDL cholesterol is adversely influenced by smoking, whereas considerable variation in its level appears to be explained by the CETP gene polymorphism.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.