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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 118 words of the full text and any section headings.

Jackson and colleagues¹ found an inverse association between light to moderate alcohol intake and risks of cardiovascular mortality in men with a history of stroke. However, among the plausible explanations of this beneficial action, the anti-inflammatory effects of alcohol were not clearly mentioned.

There is a growing body of evidence that moderate alcohol consumption decreases the levels of C-reactive protein² and that the baseline concentration of such a marker of inflammation predicts the risk of future cardiovascular events.^3-4 Furthermore, increased levels of C-reactive protein seem to be associated with a worse outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.⁵ Thus, the protective effects of alcohol in men with a history of stroke could also be related to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Luca Mascitelli, MD
Udine, Italy

Francesca Pezzetta, MD
Gemona del Friuli, Italy

1. Jackson VA, Sesso HD, Buring JE, Graziano JM. Alcohol consumption and mortality in men with preexisting cerebrovascular disease. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:1189-1193. FREE FULL TEXT 2. Albert MA, Glynn RJ, Ridker PM. Alcohol consumption and plasma concentration of C-reactive protein. Circulation. 2003;107:443-447. FREE FULL TEXT 3. Pearson TA, Mensah GA, Alexander RW, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: application to clinical and public health practice: statement for healthcare professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2003;107:499-511. FREE FULL TEXT 4. Curb JD, Abbott RD, Rodriguez BL, et al. C-reactive protein and the future risk of thromboembolic stroke in healthy men. Circulation. 2003;107:2016-2020. FREE FULL TEXT 5. Di Napoli M, Papa F, Bocola V. Prognostic influence of increased C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels in ischemic stroke. Stroke. 2001;32:133-138. FREE FULL TEXT

Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:2393.

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RELATED ARTICLE

Alcohol Consumption and Mortality in Men With Preexisting Cerebrovascular Disease
Vicki A. Jackson, Howard D. Sesso, Julie E. Buring, and J. Michael Gaziano
Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(10):1189-1193.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT