ISSN: 2350-0328 International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 3, Issue 2 , February 2016 Copyright to IJARSET www.ijarset.com 1414 Comparative Study of Serum Lipid Profile in Alcoholics and Non-Alcoholics Gulab Kanwar, Monika Shekhawat, Nidhi Sharma, Mahesh Chandra Mehra Professor & Head, Department of Biochemistry, Govt. Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India Residents, Department of Biochemistry, Govt. Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India Residents, Department of Biochemistry, Govt. Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India Residents, Department of Biochemistry, Govt. Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India ABSTACT: Background: Alcohol abuse is one of the most common form of addiction prevalent throughout the world. Its effects on major systems of the body are very well documented. Consumption of alcohol in large amounts for a long duration produces toxic effects on liver, thus impairing the lipid metabolism, and hence alteration of serum lipid profile is seen. The aim of the study is to compare the serum lipid profile among alcoholics (cases) and non- alcoholics(controls). Method: The study was conducted in Govt. Medical College, Kota and attached group of hospitals. Duration of study is from July 2015 to December 2015. A total of 70 males of age groups 45-55 years of age were included in the study. Among them 40 were alcoholics [Heavy drinkers(consuming 5 or more drinks on the same occasion on each of 5 or more days in the past 3 years)] and 30 males who did not consume alcohol were included in the study. The serum lipid profile (Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C levels) was analysed on fully auto analyzer EM 360 in Biochemistry lab, NMCH, Govt. Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India. Result: Statistical Analysis was done by Microsoft Excel. Mean ± SD of serum Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL- C and VLDL-C levels were calculated in all cases. The results were compared by student’s unpaired t -test. P value was < 0.05, which is highly significant. Conclusion : The levels of serum TG, Total Cholesterol, LDL-C and VLDL-C was found to be raised in cases and level of serum HDL-C was found to be low in cases as compared to controls. KEYWORDS: Alcohol, Cholesterol, Lipid Profile, Lipoproteins, Triglycerides I. INTRODUCTION Alcohol abuse is one of the major form of addiction seen in developed as well as developing countries. India too carries a significant burden of this. According to WHO reports of 2014, alcoholism alone causes 5.9% deaths every year and the burden of the disease accounting to 5.1%[WHO. 2014]. Drinking alcohol is associated with the risk of developing of health problems such as alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis ,cardiovascular diseases and cancers[Baan R et al ;2007, Shield KD et al;2013, WHO; 2004a ]. The over use of alcohol can also have serious social and economic consequences for the individual, family as well as for the society at a large[Sacks JJ et al;2006,Anderson PP et al;2006]. The use of alcoholic beverages has been an integral part of many cultures from thousands of years[McGovern P ;2009]. Alcohol consumption has been identified as a component cause of more than 200 diseases, injuries and other health problems[Rehm J et al ;2009a, WHO;1992b].Volume of alcohol consumed, the pattern of drinking and quality of alcohol intake have a great impact on the health of an individual[Rehm J et al ;2003a, Preedy VR et al;2005]. There are three main direct mechanisms of harm caused by alcohol consumption in an individual [Babor T et al; 2003, WHO;2004, WHO;2007]. These are (i).Toxic effects on organs and tissues.(ii).Intoxication, leading to impairment of physical coordination, consciousness, cognition, perception, affect or behaviour. (iii).Dependence, whereby the drinker’s self control over his or her drinking behaviour is impaired. Liver plays an important role in lipid metabolism for two main reasons namely (a) The bile salts are formed in the liver which are necessary for emulsification and absorption of fats are excreted by liver (b) It is concerned with the metabolism of cholesterol. Marked alterations in lipid metabolism have been reported on chronic ethanol feeding[Day CP et al;1993]. The accumulation of fat in the liver on chronic alcohol intake acts as a stimulus for the secretion of lipoproteins into the blood stream and the development of hyper lipidemia. Decreased fatty acid oxidation in the liver