Impact of Alcohol Use Discontinuation on Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance Among Latino Patients With and Without Underlying Chronic Liver Disease

Introduction: We evaluated the effect of short-term moderate alcohol discontinuation on adipose tissue insulin resistance (adipo-IR) and factors associated with its change in Latinos with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods Nondiabetic Latino adults without ( N  = 17) or with ( N  = 7) HCV underwent clinical, laboratory, genetic, and metabolic testing. Metabolic testing was repeated after 6.5 weeks of moderate alcohol discontinuation. Adipo-IR was measured using a 2-step insulin suppression test. Multivariable linear regression, including HCV status, identified factors associated with change in adipo-IR. Results Median age was 50 years, 58% female, median BMI 26.3 kg/m². Genetic ancestry was 57% European, 36% Native American, and 3.5% African. CYP2E1 genotyping showed 14% were homozygous for [c2/c2] risk-allele. No significant changes in adipo-IR occurred after alcohol discontinuation. On multivariable regression, CYP2E1 homozygous risk-allele (vs. none, estimate 0.25 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and overweight/obesity (vs. normal weight, estimate 0.13 mmol/L, p = 0.02), but not HCV, were associated with change in adipo-IR following alcohol discontinuation. Conclusions The effect of moderate alcohol cessation on adipo-IR is modulated by obesity and CYP2E1 homozygous risk-allele in Latinos, independent of HCV status. Alongside HCV eradication, alcohol cessation and weight loss are important for populations with CYP2E1 polymorphism to prevent adverse outcomes of insulin resistance.