Coronary artery calcification is associatd with alcohol intake but not oxidative stress or inflamation

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a component of the development of atherosclerosis. Coronary computed tomography scanning (CCT) can detect calcification and may be useful in individuals considered asymptomatic. Oxidative stress and inflammation are linked through common pathways and both are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To investigate if CAC was associated with increased oxidative stress (plasma F2-isoprostanes) and inflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), we invited 102 self-selected individuals (mean age 52±7 years) who were undergoing CCT to take part in a study. Height, weight and clinic blood pressure was measured, a blood sample taken and a health and lifestyle questionnaire completed. CAC was found to be positively correlated with age (p