The relationship between alcohol intake and cellular immune activity in systemic lupus erythematosus may change from inhibitory to stimulatory within 2 months of study: findings from an integrative single-case study

Excerpt

Alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine contain several compounds (e.g. ethanol and antioxidants) that potentially counteract inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [1]. However, evidence on the association between alcohol consumption and SLE disease activity is equivocal. While meta-analyses by Wang et al. revealed that alcohol drinking might be protective in SLE [2], their own most recent empirical work did not support this observation [3]. This inconsistency may arise from the inability of conventional group studies to appropriately handle the subjective and temporal qualities characterizing the association between drinking alcohol and physiological response [4]. In order to better deal with complex psychosomatic features, we have developed an integrative research approach based on extensive single-case studies [5]. Using this approach, it was shown in a 40-year-old patient with SLE that daily alcohol consumption was associated with a decline in levels of urinary neopterin, an immune activation marker and indicator of SLE activity [6], within 24 h after intake [5]. …