Teenage binge drinkers could suffer osteoporosis later in life--study
POSTED July 14, 2010 - 10:38 | POSTED BY Neha Jindal
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on July 14, 2010 - 11:53
Researchers from Loyola University Health System in Chicago, U.S., stated that binge drinking (consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time) during teen years is related to an increased risk of osteoporosis and other health hazards with age.
Osteoporosis is a bone-disease leading to an increased risk of fractures due to reduced bone material density (BMD), disrupted bone micro-architecture and, alteration in the amount and variety of proteins in bone.
The Times of India (TOI) quoted study-leader and bone-biologist John Callaci, PhD, Loyola University Health System as saying, “Lifestyle-related damage done to the skeleton during young adulthood may have repercussions lasting decades.”
Research details
The research team conducted the study on laboratory rats to examine the effects of binge drinking on their genes.
Under the experiment, rats were injected with alcohol that resulted in a blood alcohol level of 0.28.
The rats were exposed to large amounts of alcohol either on three consecutive days (acute binge) or on three consecutive days for four weeks in a row (chronic binge).
They were then compared to control rats that were given saline (solution of salt and distilled water).
Research outcomes
On analysis, it was revealed that about 300 bone-related genes were dislocated in rats exposed to acute binge drinking.
In addition, 180 bone-related genes were disrupted in rats exposed to chronic binge drinking.
It was thus asserted that alcohol tended to destroy a somewhat high percentage of genes and the rat’s body could not restore them even after a period of 30 days.
Researchers admitted that this phenomenon might not be quite similar in humans but the recovery time could be almost three years in them.
They also explained the link between binge drinking and osteoporosis by saying that bone mass is strengthened during puberty and if this phenomenon is repressed by something, it might increase the risks of bone fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
The findings might as well help scientists to develop drugs to reduce bone-loss in heavy drinkers, who have the highest risk of osteoporosis.
They also stressed that changing the mentality and habits of an entire generation might help reduce binge drinking and related health-problems.
The study appears in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.
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