Effects of alcohol consumption on the allergen-specific immune response in mice

Background: There is evidence that chronic alcohol consumption impairs the T-helper 1 (Th1) lymphocyte-regulated cell-mediated immune response possibly favoring a Th2 deviation of the immune response. Moreover, a few epidemiological studies have linked alcohol consumption to allergen-specific IgE sensitization. Objective: To investigate the effects of alcohol consumption on the allergen-specific immune response in mice. Methods: BALB/cJBomTac mice were immunized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA) using a low dose sensitization protocol. Throughout the experiment, mice were kept on isocalorical liquid diets containing 0 to 6.2% ethanol. Evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of ethanol was based on measurements of total serum IgE, as well as OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a. Furthermore, levels of OVA-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma were determined in ex vivo splenocyte cultures. Results: Alcohol intake decreased the level of OVA-specific IgG2a in a dose-dependent manner, whereas high levels of alcohol markedly increased the level of total IgE, but not OVA-specific IgE. Th1 suppression was supported by the cytokine profile. Conclusions: Alcohol consumption induced a marked decrease in markers of the Th1-type allergen-specific immune response and an increase in total serum IgE. In this model, there was no effect of alcohol on OVA-specific IgE. Studies using other routes of immunization may be warranted.