Abnormal plasma oxytocin and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics after short and long term abstinence.
1. Plasma oxytocin (OX), vasopressin (VP), estrone (ES) and beta-endorphin (beta-end) levels were measured in 13 male non-chirrotic alcoholics, at 1, 4, 7, 15 and 28 days after alcohol withdrawal and only once in 9 sex- and age-matched normal controls. 2. At all examined time points, plasma OX and ES, but not VP, levels were significantly higher in alcoholics than in controls. Alcoholics showed plasma beta-end levels lower than normal. 3. A positive relationship was found between ES and OX levels suggesting that elevated estrogens levels in chronic alcoholics might exert a stimulatory effect on OX. 4. In light of the well-known effect of OX on learning and memory, an involvement of OX in alcohol-induced neuropsychological deficits may be supposed.
Marchesi
C
C
Istituto di Clinica Psichiatrica, Università di Parma, Italy.
Chiodera
P
P
Brusamonti
E
E
Volpi
R
R
Coiro
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D014667:Vasopressins; D004970:Estrone; D010121:Oxytocin; D001615:beta-Endorphin