The immune system contains cells that circulate in the blood or reside in special lymphoid tissues in the spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils. They encounter antigens and initiate an immune response.
Ø Effects on T Cells
o T lymphocytes are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, which initiates the destruction of an antigen or virus-infected cells.
o Alcohol induces programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in immature T cells in the thymus.
o Alcohol results in increased apoptosis of mature lymphocytes and monocytes (T Cells) in the blood.
Ø Effects on B Cells
o B lymphocytes are responsible for antibody-mediated immunity, which secretes antibodies into the blood or lymph to fight antigens.
o Alcohol alters the number and function of B Cells.
Ø Effects on Natural Killer Cells
o Natural Killer Cells recognize and eliminate cells in the body that have been infected by viruses or that have turned into cancer cells.
o Chronic
alcohol consumption is associated with increased incidence of tumors,
suggesting that the Natural Killer Cell activity may be impaired.
Ø Effects on Cytokines
o Cytokines stimulate the activity of other immune cells and regulate the functions of immune cells as well as nonimmune cells (e.g., nerve cells and cells of hormone-producing organs).
o Alcoholics exhibit decreased blood levels of cytokines, making alcoholics more susceptible to infections.
Ø
Increased susceptibility to bacterial
infections.
o Pneumonia
o Tuberculosis
Ø
Increased susceptibility to HIV.
Ø
Consequences of traumatic injuries.
o Acute
alcohol consumption before sustaining major injuries increases the severity of
the immunosuppression.
o Can
lead to overwhelming infections and may result in multiple organ failure and
even death.
SOURCE: Szabo, G. Alcohol’s Contribution to
Compromized Immunity. Alcohol Health & Research World. 1997; 21(1):
30-38.
