Does alcohol have a positive influence on the development of multiple sclerosis?
A recent study by the University of Erlangen reveals evidence that moderate alcohol consumption can alleviate the effects of MS. Is that a reason to pop the corks? The sobering answer is: yes - as long as you're a mouse. Nevertheless, it's worth taking a closer look at the study, which even the renowned science magazine Nature has devoted itself to.
Alcohol has a soothing effect on rheumatoid arthritis – in a mouse model
In fact, previous studies have already shown that alcohol consumption can have a positive effect on the course of inflammatory attacks in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA, like MS, is an autoimmune disease. However, the mechanism behind the observed anti-inflammatory effect has remained a mystery until now. Especially since alcohol is not otherwise known for its health-promoting effects. Scientists at the University of Erlangen have now taken on the challenge of solving this mystery. They gave mice with rheumatoid arthritis alcohol in their drinking water over a longer period of time. After 42 days, the mice showed a significant reduction in the symptoms of arthritis compared to a control group that received no alcohol. This observation was also made in a model used to study multiple sclerosis.
Acetate inhibits the inflammatory reaction
According to the Erlangen researchers, alcohol - and in particular its metabolite acetate - is responsible for this effect. Acetate is a compound of acetic acid, a short-chain fatty acid . Acetate is not only produced during the processing of alcohol, but also through the digestion of fiber. Using complex microbiological studies, the researchers were able to prove that acetate changes a certain type of cell, the follicular T helper cells, in such a way that fewer antibodies are subsequently produced. Fewer antibodies means fewer inflammatory reactions.
So can I pop the corks now?
This study does not provide sufficient evidence to suggest that alcohol consumption - moderate, mind you - could have a therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis or MS. After all, not all humans are the same. The mouse model can at most help to get closer to certain mechanisms. In addition, the study does not address possible harmful side effects of alcohol that also occur. Even if moderate alcohol consumption can have a soothing effect on inflammatory attacks in some cases, this is offset by the long-term consequences of alcohol consumption. It should not be forgotten that the mice were given alcohol every day over a long period of time. The aim of the study was not to find a therapeutic agent in alcohol. The researchers simply wanted to solve the mystery of why alcohol has a soothing effect in some studies on rheumatoid arthritis. With acetate as a metabolic product of alcohol, they have finally found a very interesting culprit. After all, acetate is also formed in large quantities during the digestion of fiber. In this case, it is much easier to imagine a health-promoting effect. The researchers also come to the conclusion that decoding such mechanisms helps us to understand the influence our diet has on the immune system. And that, in turn, gives hope for further, exciting studies.
