postprandial insulin secretion and appetite regulation after moderate alcohol consumption

Conditions: Healthy

Summary: a body of epidemiologic studies show that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a protective effect against type 2 diabetes. the importance of both insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance and diabetes type 2 is widely recognized. clinical studies show improved insulin sensitivity after a period of alcohol consumption compared to abstention. however, postprandial insulin secretion and beta-cell function after a period of moderate alcohol consumption have scarcely been addressed in published literature. when consumed as an aperitif or with a meal, alcohol is generally expected to stimulate appetite and food intake and thus might be a risk factor for over consumption and obesity. however the physiological mechanisms for this observed effect are not well understood. furthermore, previous studies lacked a link between physiological parameters and subjective parameters of satiety.

objective: primary objectives are to study the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on * postprandial insulin secretion and pancreatic beta-cell function * physiological and subjective parameters related to satiety and appetite secondary objectives are to study the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on * miscellaneous markers of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity * kinetics of alcohol-induced increase of adiponectin a tertiary objective is to study the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on * gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue in normal-weight pre menopausal women with normal fasting plasma glucose. study design: randomized, partially controlled, open label, cross-over study with a one week wash-out preceding each treatment period study population: 24 apparently healthy pre menopausal caucasian women with fasting blood glucose \<6.1 mmol/l, aged 20 - 44 years at inclusion of the study, with a bmi of 19 - 25 kg/m2, who use oral contraceptives will participate in the study. intervention: participants will drink daily a test substance for three weeks (2 cans of amstel beer per day; 66 cl \~ 26 gram alcohol) followed by a reference substance (2 cans of amstel alcohol-free beer per day; 66 cl \< 0.5 gram of alcohol) for three weeks or vice versa. both treatments are preceded by a one-week wash-out period in which no alcohol is consumed.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * apparently females between 20 - 44 years of age * using oral contraceptives for \>3 months (only phase 1 or 2 oral contraceptives) * normal fasting glucose levels as indicated by venous fasting plasma glucose levels \< 6.1 mmol/l * alcohol consumption more or equal then 5 and less than 22 glasses/week * body mass index (bmi) between 19 and 25 kg/m2 exclusion criteria: * having the intention to become pregnant, to be pregnant or to lactate during the study * having a history of medical or surgical events that may significantly affect the study outcome including metabolic or endocrine disease, gastro-intestinal disorder, or eating behavior disorders such as anorexia/bulimia disorders * having a family history of alcoholism * smoking * reported use of any soft or hard drugs * reported unexplained weight loss or gain of \> 3 kg in the month prior to the screening

Keywords: moderate alcohol consumption insulin secretion insulin sensitivity beta-cell function adiponectin appetite satiety alcohol-induced gene expression endocannabinoids glucose metabolism lipid metabolism ratio hmw/total adiponectin appetite regulation alcohol-induced adiponectin increase