Alcohol and the Lung

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ashish Mehta, Emory University; David M Guidot, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-01-01
• Publisher: Niaaa
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: Unless otherwise noted in the text, all material appearing in this journal is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Citation of the source is appreciated.
• License: Creative Commons Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
• Final Published Version (URL): https://www.arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/arcr382/article04.htm
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Alcohol Research Current Reviews
• ISSN: 2168-3492
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 243
• End Page: 254
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Mehta is supported by a Career Development Award (1IK2CX000643) from the Clinical Science Research and Development Service of the Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development. Dr. Guidot is supported by grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01–AA–017627) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01–HL–125042).
• Keywords: respiratory system; Substance Abuse; ACUTE RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS; GLUTATHIONE HOMEOSTASIS; Alcohol consumption; FED RATS; lung disease; OXIDATIVE STRESS; alveolar macrophage; alcoholic lung; EPITHELIAL BARRIER FUNCTION; Science & Technology; antioxidant; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; CHRONIC ETHANOL INGESTION; TIGHT JUNCTIONS; MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION; alcohol use disorder; COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA; lung injury; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE; lung; pulmonary system

Abstract

Among the many organ systems affected by harmful alcohol use, the lungs are particularly susceptible to infections and injury. The mechanisms responsible for rendering people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) vulnerable to lung damage include alterations in host defenses of the upper and lower airways, disruption of alveolar epithelial barrier integrity, and alveolar macrophage immune dysfunction. Collectively, these derangements encompass what has been termed the "alcoholic lung" phenotype. Alcohol-related reductions in antioxidant levels also may contribute to lung disease in people with underlying AUD. In addition, researchers have identified several regulatory molecules that may play crucial roles in the alcohol-induced disease processes. Although there currently are no approved therapies to combat the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the respiratory system, these molecules may be potential therapeutic targets to guide future investigation.