# Effects of Adolescent Binge Alcohol Consumption on Cardiac Structure and Function

> **NIH NIH R21** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2020 · $174,879

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Approximately 1 in 6 adolescents report regular binge alcohol consumption. The rapid growth in body weight
during adolescence requires a concurrent increase in cardiac output, necessitating an increase in the size of
the heart through cellular hypertrophy. However, the long-term effects of adolescent binge alcohol
consumption on the heart are almost entirely unknown. Our preliminary data in a rat model show binge
alcohol exposure in adolescence interferes with normal cardiac growth. Specifically, control rats grew
normally in adolescence, their body weight and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (volume after the heart has
filled with blood) both rising by ~45%. The alcohol binge rats had the same increase in body weight, but their
end-diastolic volume increased by only half as much, severely limiting the ability of the adolescent heart to
grow during this crucial period. In adults, binge alcohol consumption can reduce systolic function (weaker
heart), in adolescence we observed the opposite: an increase in systolic function. This is likely a compensatory
mechanism to maintain cardiac output, a smaller heart that works harder. Moreover, Doppler flow analysis
revealed depressed diastolic function (relaxation) in the binge alcohol exposed rats. These preliminary data
reveal clearly detrimental consequences of binge alcohol exposure in adolescence and raise two key
questions. One, do these responses to binge alcohol exposure persist into adulthood and what are the
consequences, and two, what molecular signaling is disrupted that lead to these whole-organ
structural and functional changes? We will address these questions in the following aims. Aim 1 will assess
the structural and functional consequences of adolescent binge alcohol consumption in the heart over time.
Using our rat model of adolescent binge alcohol exposure, we will examine structure and function (using
echocardiography, pathology, and cellular assays) to determine for how long the observed acute changes
persist after cessation of alcohol exposure. In Aim 2 we will determine whether adolescent binge alcohol
consumption sensitizes the adult heart to pathological stress or subsequent binge alcohol exposure. Rats with
adolescent binge alcohol exposure will be allowed to mature to adults, and then subjected to either left anterior
descending coronary ligation (resulting in myocardial infarction, aka a heart attack), or adult binge alcohol
exposure. Lastly, Aim 3 will identify the signaling mechanisms involved in the cardiac structural and functional
consequences of binge alcohol exposure. Heart growth, systolic function, and diastolic function are governed
by known signaling mechanisms, such as growth factors (IGF-1), PI3K/Akt signaling, β-adrenergic signaling,
and titin phosphorylation. Using PCR, western blots, mass spectrometry, RNA-seq, and activity assays, we will
identify which signaling pathways are disrupted by adolescent binge alcohol exposure to determine the
me...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9928340
- **Project number:** 5R21AA027625-02
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** JONATHAN A KIRK
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $174,879
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-10 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9928340

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9928340, Effects of Adolescent Binge Alcohol Consumption on Cardiac Structure and Function (5R21AA027625-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9928340. Licensed CC0.

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