title: Changes of smoking behavior and serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, prolactin, and endogenous opioids levels in nicotine dependence after naltrexone treatment.
abstract: This study was done to evaluate the therapeutic effects of naltrexone on smoking behaviors and to measure the changing of brain substances for elucidating the mode of action by naltrexone. Twenty-five voluntarily participated healthy male smokers were randomly assigned to naltrexone group or placebo group for 2 weeks. In this study, naltrexone group showed significant reduction in daily cigarette consumption amount, the expiratory CO levels, brief questionnaire for smoking urge (B-QSU) score, and FTQ score. However, only 2 subjects in naltrexone group quitted smoking completely at 4th week. Plasma levels of pituitary hormones (ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin) and endogenous opioids (beta-endorphin and dynorphin A) were checked weekly before and after the 'provocation and smoking coupled' stimulus once in a week for 3 weeks. In naltrexone group, pituitary hormones showed upward tendencies even though only the prolactin had statistical significance. However, beta-endorphin and dynorphin A were not significantly different between the two groups. It was suggested that naltrexone made effects on hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity as well as smoking behavior. However, the meaning of these endocrinal changes by naltrexone is not conclusive, whether it is beneficial or aversive.
authors.affiliation: Department of psychiatry, Chung-Ang University medical center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Keun Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Joe
authors.forename: In Ki
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Chul
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Baik Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Seok Lae
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chae
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D006728:Hormones; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone