Elevated homocysteine levels in alcohol withdrawal.
Ethanol exerts its behavioural effects largely by interacting with receptors for brain neurotransmitters. However, the molecular mechanisms involving these interactions and the pathogenesis of alcohol-withdrawal symptomatology are still not well understood. Until recently, no data were available about homocysteine (Hcy) levels in acute alcohol intoxication of chronic alcoholics and in patients undergoing withdrawal from alcohol. Hcy, blood-alcohol concentrations, vitamins B6, B12, and folate concentrations were assessed in 29 chronic alcoholics, who underwent withdrawal from alcohol. We observed increased Hcy levels in most patients. Hcy levels steadily decreased during the observation period. We postulate that hyperhomocysteinaemia and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, by their agonism at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, may partly mediate alcohol-associated withdrawal symptomatology. The importance of assessing serum Hcy levels in order to detect methylation deficiency in patients with chronic alcoholism and for possible therapeutic strategies is discussed.
Bleich
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Germany.
Degner
D
D
Wiltfang
J
J
Maler
J M
JM
Niedmann
P
P
Cohrs
S
S
Mangholz
A
A
Porzig
J
J
Sprung
R
R
Rüther
E
E
Kornhuber
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D006710:Homocysteine; D000431:Ethanol; D011736:Pyridoxine; D014805:Vitamin B 12