RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to a new research study, the intake of alcoholic beverages by HIV-infected people is directly correlated to lower levels of a protein involved in bone formation, thus increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
The findings are drawn from a team of researchers at Boston University in the United States who have conducted a study published in the scientific journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
Among HIV-infected individuals, it is common for bone mass to decrease gradually, even when taking anti-retrovirals.
“We did not find an amount of alcohol intake that seemed ‘safe’ for these patients’ bone metabolism,” said Theresa W. Kim, the study’s lead author, in a press release.
She added: “As we get older, our ability to retain proper bone formation decreases. Our findings suggest that drinking alcohol can make this process even more difficult for people with HIV”.
For research purposes, scientists examined data from 198 volunteers, which included blood tests and also the behaviour of individuals. By the end of the experiment, the researchers found that there is a significant correlation between alcohol intake and levels of N-terminal type 1 serum propeptide protein (P1NP) – a bone formation marker.
The researchers determined that, on average, for each alcoholic beverage ingested per day, the P1NP levels of a volunteer decreased by 1.09 ng/mL (the range for levels considered healthy for P1NP is 13.7 to 42.4 ng/mL).
“When advising a patient concerned about bone health, in addition to checking vitamin D and advising the practice of physical exercise, I alert about alcohol intake, since the ingestion of this substance is a modifiable risk factor and osteoporosis can lead to fractures and functional decline,” concludes Theresa W. Kim.