Chunk #28 — Epigenetics-Relevant Consequences of Oxidative Alcohol Metabolism — Increases in NADH/NAD+ Ratio and Their Consequences — Modulation of Gene Expression
Human and animal studies have demonstrated that both acute and chronic alcohol intake can affect many aspects of circadian rhythms, including physiological, endocrine, and behavioral functions. Alcohol intake and withdrawal have been shown to affect the circadian rhythm of body temperature in rats and to alter circadian melatonin secretion in both healthy and alcoholic people (Danel and Touitou 2006; Danel et al. 2009). In addition, alcohol alters the circadian expression of Per2 and Per3 in the SCN, suggesting that alcohol may directly affect the central pacemaker and interfere with its circadian functioning (Chen et al. 2004). In rats, Farnell and colleagues (2008) have demonstrated that neonatal alcohol exposure during the brain growth spurt can alter clock gene oscillations in the liver, in addition to the SCN.
