Light, but not heavy alcohol drinking, stimulates paraoxonase by upregulating liver mRNA in rats and humans.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON) may contribute to the cardioprotective action of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) because it inhibits low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, a prerequisite for the onset of atherosclerosis. Because light drinking and heavy drinking have diametrically opposite effects on cardioprotection, we have determined the effects of ethanol dosage on rat serum PON activity and its hepatic expression. Furthermore, we have investigated PON activity and polymorphism in human light and heavy drinkers.