Which hormone is inhibited by alcohol

Scientists believe that alcohol-seeking behavior is regulated in part by the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.

By interfering with the hormone system, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels, impair reproductive functions, interfere with calcium metabolism and bone structure, affect hunger and digestion, and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

The main energy source for all body tissues is sugar glucose. The body gets glucose from food, from synthesis in the body, and from the breakdown of glycogen which is stored in the liver.

The body's blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin and glucagon, hormones secreted by the pancreas. They work together to maintain a constant concentration of glucose in the blood. Insulin lowers glucose levels, while glucagon raises it.

Other hormones from the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland back up the function of glucagon to make sure the body's glucose level doesn't fall low enough to cause fainting, passing out or even brain damage. Alcohol interferes with all three sources of glucose and interferes with the hormones that regulate glucose levels.

There are many ways alcohol consumption affects the body's glucose levels. Chronic heavy drinking can increase the body's glucose levels. A review published in reported that chronic heavy drinking can cause glucose intolerance in healthy people. There are many hormones in the body that regulate the reproductive system. The two main hormones—androgens testosterone and estrogens estradiol —are synthesized in the testes and ovaries.

These hormones affect various reproductive functions. In men, they are responsible for:. In women, hormones perform many functions, including:. Peak blood ethanol concentration 0. Total testosterone and free testosterone were elevated significantly immediately after exercise in both groups. At — min post exercise, total testosterone and free testosterone levels as well as free androgen index were significantly higher only in the EtOH group.

The study demonstrated that during the recovery period from heavy resistance exercise, post exercise ethanol ingestion affects the hormonal profile including testosterone concentrations and bioavailability [ 85 ].

A number of studies have highlighted the decrease in testosterone levels after ethanol consumption by synthesis inhibition and release of testosterone by the testes [ 13 , 14 , 84 , 86 ]. The mechanism of ethanol suppressing testosterone levels sub-chronically is via its actions as a testicular toxin, where it can reduce testosterone synthesis rates with no negative influence on the hypothalamus signals to the testes [ 83 , 87 ]. Ethanol locks the functionality of Leydig cells [ 88 ] and it has been shown that necrotic Leydig cells were evident after chronic ethanol consumption [ 88 — 90 ].

Although, in females, the production and release of androgens occurs outside the gonads. Therfore the action of ethanol on LH levels on Leydig cells is irrelevant. Testosterone production occurs in the adrenal glands as an intermediate in the synthesis of cortisol. Ethanol stimulates adrenal gland activity [ 91 ] and increased levels of ethanol consequently results in an increase in androgen hormones in females [ 92 , 93 ].

There appears to be a dose dependency in the hormonal response. All the studies that analyzed testosterone using a dose lower than 1. Conversely all those using higher dosages 1. It also seems that the decrease can only be seen in men while an increase is evident in women. A three week intervention in middle aged men and post-menopausal women drinking g of alcohol daily noted that in both genders there was no significant influence of this dose of ethanol on circulating estrogen levels [ 94 ].

Another study measuring serum levels during hangover induced by 1. There is a strong possibility though that ethanol increases the aromatization of androgens [ 95 ].

Two studies show no difference between estrogen levels before and after alcohol consumption. Although at higher doses than those used in the previous mentioned studies contradictive results show an increase in women and a decrease in men.

After consumption of 1. Plasma cortisol concentrations after EtHO ingestion. Plasma cortisol concentrations measured from the beginning of the infusion period every 30 minutes for 2 to 24 hours.

The infusion of 1. Reprint with permission by Ramadoss et al. Ethanol furthermore increases the level of cortisol through the release of ACTH [ 15 , , ].

Murphy et al. The researchers found a significant increase in cortisol levels with no changes in the level of testosterone [ ]. Studies show an increase in the level of cortisol. It is not clear if this increase is due to the stress that the organism undergoes as a consequence of alcoholic ingestion or to an increase in the level of ACTH.

Physiological and sport induced alterations are well documented in the literature regarding GH and LH [ , ], but little is known about their kinetics after ethanol consumption. Ylikahri et al. Contrary to Ylikahri, Tentler et al. Another study indicates that GH does not appear to have its pulse amplitude influenced by ethanol for up to 20 hours after ingestion of a large dose 1. However, pulse frequency during these 20 hours was slightly but significantly reduced from 4.

Ethanol inhibits the release of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH at an hypothalamic level. With a signaling role on the pituitary gland of GnRH to release LH, an increase in BAC consequently leads to a decrease in LH levels which in turn partially results in lower testosterone production in adults and adolescents [ 13 , 84 , , ].

The GH shows a serum level decrease in four out of five analyzed the studies. No alterations were shown in the remaining study. Whereas for the LH a decrease was shown in all analyzed studies. Research results confirm the detrimental effects of ethanol ingestion on a multitude of physiological levels. Protein synthesis and resulting muscle hypertrophy appears to be directly affected by ethanol. Ethanol and its metabolic sub-products selectively impair IGF-I signalling via S6K1 that directly affects the transcription of genes involved in muscle hypertrophy especially in type IIx fibers, those more responsive to hypertrophy.

A direct link between ethanol consumption and hormonal profiles is evident. These links indicate that ethanol reduces GH plasmatic levels and alters the pituitary axes by decreasing LH release, which consequently, depending on the dose consumed could induce a decrease in the level of testosterone.

Furthermore ethanol and its metabolic sub-products, inhibit testosterone but also increases cortisol levels, an opposite trend on muscle hypertrophy achievement. Though, the findings seem to be contradictive; the role of ethanol on cortisol and testosterone secretion is still not entirely understood but the stressful effects of ethanol onto the human body may be responsible for the increase in cortisol serum levels in a number of studies.

Moreover, alterations in testosterone levels appear to be gender specific. A decrease in secreted testosterone has been shown in males whilst an increase due to the activation of the adrenal axes has been shown in females.

No differences between adolescents and adults were identified. If a reduced level of blood testosterone is present, a reduced protein synthesis should occur in males and this would lead to atrophy. This review has identified a lack of information about the specific and direct interaction between ethanol and muscle hypertrophy.

Furthermore, the majority of studies related to the topic are often dated with conflicting results being evident. This study underlines to scientist involved in the field of exercise nutrition the need to inform athletes and sport professionals on the possible effects and implications that the consumption of this substance could cause. Pelosio C: Definition of hormones. Policlinico Prat. CAS Google Scholar. Langer P: The development of knowledge in endocrinology and a new definition of hormones.

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Petrulis A: Chemosignals, hormones and mammalian reproduction. Horm Behav. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Pol Merkur Lekarski. Miguez HA: Epidemiology of alcohol consumption in Argentina. Soc Sci Med. Studies have found that 50 percent of heavy drinkers had spermatogenic arrest compared to only 20 percent of men without alcoholism. A study looking at 16, healthy men found that heavy drinking may negatively affect semen volume and sperm morphology.

Some damage may be permanent. One mouse study found that alcohol damage on the male reproductive tract was somewhat reversible after 10 weeks of abstaining from alcohol. More research is needed on human subjects to better understand the extent that the human reproductive system can heal itself.

Adopting an overall healthy lifestyle can help support your recovery. Avoiding junk food, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep can all help you maintain optimal hormone levels. People with a history of alcohol misuse are at a heightened risk for developing low testosterone.

More than 90 percent of men with advanced liver disease also have low testosterone. Continuing to drink may worsen liver damage, which will lead to more health problems and further impaired testosterone production.

Your doctor can recommend the best treatment options for your low testosterone levels and your alcohol dependence. Quitting alcohol or lowering your alcohol intake to a safe level may help reverse some of the damage caused by chronic drinking. What are the health effects of not drinking alcohol for one month? A promising study that looks at what one month free of booze can do to your body.

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Sign In or Create an Account. Sign In. Advanced Search. Search Menu. Article Navigation. Close mobile search navigation Article Navigation. Volume Article Contents Abstract. Jan Gill Jan Gill. Oxford Academic. Google Scholar. Revision received:. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Abstract Studies that have investigated the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the level of oestrogens and progesterone in both pre- and post-menopausal women are reviewed. Table 1.

Subjects: no. Phase of cycle. Alcohol intake. Analysis performed. Main conclusions. OC, oral contraceptive. Consumed in the evening Pooled plasma fasting and 24 h urine samples collected during each third and sixth menstrual cycle.

Plasma hormone levels. No association between plasma oestrogens at any of 3 cycle phases studied.