OHSUbyRandyLRasmussen.JPG

(Randy L. Rasmussen / The Oregonian)

Moderate consumption of alcohol may boost the immune system, according to research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University.

Rhesus macaque monkeys provided with ethanol alcohol and subjected to a smallpox vaccine showed enhanced immune response, as measured by the immune system's T cells which attack foreign invaders and illness.

However, the beneficial effects were restricted to monkeys who were, in essence, moderate drinkers, keeping their blood-ethanol level an average .02 to .04 percent.

The monkeys who consumed larger quantities of ethanol, with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or above, demonstrated an immune response that was weaker than monkeys allowed to drink no ethanol.

The moderate drinking monkeys showed the best immune response of all.

Researchers say the results add to research already done showing that very moderate drinking may be beneficial for general health and the cardiovascular system.

The study relied on grant funds from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It appeared in the Dec. 17 issue of the journal Vaccine.

-- Nick Budnick