Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer modulate plasma and macrophage microRNAs differently in a pilot intervention in humans with cardiovascular risk

Authors: DAIMIEL, LIDIA - Imdea Institute; MICO, VICTOR - Imdea Institute; DIEZ-RICOTE, LAURA - Imdea Institute; RUIZ-VALDERREY, PALOMA - Imdea Institute; ISTAS, GEOFFREY - King'S College; RODRIGUEZ-MATEOS, ANA - King'S College; ORDOVAS, JOSE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/23/2020
Publication Date: 12/28/2020
Citation: Daimiel, L., Mico, V., Diez-Ricote, L., Ruiz-Valderrey, P., Istas, G., Rodriguez-Mateos, A., Ordovas, J. 2020. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer modulate plasma and macrophage microRNAs differently in a pilot intervention in humans with cardiovascular risk. Nutrients. 13(1):69. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010069.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010069

Interpretive Summary: Some beneficial effects have been attributed to the moderate consumption of beer; however, the biological mechanisms underlying its potential beneficial actions are mostly unknown. The aim of this work conducted by investigators in Spain, the UK, and at the HNRCA in Boston was to test if regular beer and non-alcoholic beer consumption modify the levels of a panel of 53 cardiometabolic microRNAs miRNAs (small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules containing about 22 nucleotides) in plasma and blood cells (i.e., macrophages). A cross-over intervention consisting of the ingestion of 500 mL/day of regular beer or non-alcoholic beer for 14 days with a 7-day washout period between interventions was conducted on men aged 30-65 with high cardiovascular risk. The results of the study show that regular beer and non-alcoholic beer intake modulated plasma and macrophage microRNAs differentially. Specifically, microRNAs related to inflammation increased after beer consumption and decreased after non-alcoholic beer consumption. This suggests that the potential health benefits of beer may not be attributed to its alcohol content.

Technical Abstract: Beer is a popular beverage and some beneficial effects have been attributed to its moderate consumption. We carried out a pilot study to test if beer and non-alcoholic beer consumption modify the levels of a panel of 53 cardiometabolic microRNAs in plasma and macrophages. Seven non-smoker men aged 30-65 with high cardiovascular risk were recruited for a non-randomized cross-over intervention consisting of the ingestion of 500 mL/day of beer or non-alcoholic beer for 14 days with a 7-day washout period between interventions. Plasma and urine isoxanthohumol were measured to assess compliance with interventions. Monocytes were isolated and differentiated into macrophages, and plasma and macrophage microRNAs were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Anthropometric, biochemistry and dietary parameters were also measured. We found an increase in plasma miR-155-5p, miR-328-3p, and miR-92a-3p after beer and a decrease after non-alcoholic beer consumption. Plasma miR-320a-3p levels decreased with both beers. Circulating miR-320a-3p levels correlated with LDL-cholesterol. We found that miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-26b-5p, and miR-223-3p macrophage levels increased after beer and decreased after non-alcoholic beer consumption. Functional analyses suggested that modulated microRNAs were involved in catabolism, nutrient sensing, Toll-like receptors signaling and inflammation. We concluded that beer and non-alcoholic beer intake modulated differentially plasma and macrophage microRNAs. Specifically, microRNAs related to inflammation increased after beer consumption and decreased after non-alcoholic beer consumption.