The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCHRD) is supporting a study seeking to develop a prediction model to detect the effects of alcohol on human liver and kidneys using animal model.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña bared that the PCHRD, led by Dr. Jaime C. Montoya threw all-out support to the project, led by Dr. Doreen D. Domingo of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU).
“The Philippines is considered as the second largest consumer of alcoholic beverages in Southeast Asia and there is an increasing number of Filipinos developing alcoholic addiction,” he said in a taped report.
"Despite the statistical data available on the extent of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, it is not considered as a medical problem by most Filipinos. In fact, alcoholism is a growing concern in the culture and social life in the country, and Filipinos even subject themselves to drinking alcohol as part of their lifestyle.”
He noted that in the case of hepato-renal function, chronic and binge consumption of alcohol was found to compromise the physiological activity of the kidneys.
“They (researchers) also observed the alcohol-related changes in the structure and function of the kidneys and its inability to regulate the volume and composition of fluid and electrolytes in the body that lead to liver diseases.”
De la Peña said the study is expected to provide baseline information to explore the conditions of the liver and kidneys brought by chronic binge alcohol drinking.
“Future studies can also use the prediction model to determine the severity of damage of alcohol that is consumed in any pattern, aside from chronic-binge drinking.”
“Hopefully, the results of the project may be used for the creation of more relevant and effective health programs to control alcoholism or alcohol abuse in the Philippines.”