Alcohol and the Lung

• Authors: Ashish Mehta, Emory University; David M Guidot, Emory University
• Journal Title: Alcohol Research Current Reviews
• Volume: Volume 38, Number 2
• Publisher: Niaaa | 2017-01-01, Pages 243-254
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Subjects: Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Substance Abuse; Alcohol consumption; alcohol use disorder; alcoholic lung; lung; lung disease; lung injury; respiratory system; pulmonary system; alveolar macrophage; antioxidant; ACUTE RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS; COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA; EPITHELIAL BARRIER FUNCTION; CHRONIC ETHANOL INGESTION; MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE; FED RATS; OXIDATIVE STRESS; TIGHT JUNCTIONS; GLUTATHIONE HOMEOSTASIS

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.