Role of appetite-regulating peptides in alcohol craving: an analysis in respect to subtypes and different consumption patterns in alcoholism.
BACKGROUND
A role of appetite-regulating peptides like leptin and ghrelin in the neurobiology of alcohol craving has been proposed by several studies. Aim of this analysis was to search for differences regarding an association between these peptides and alcohol craving with respect to different subtypes and beverage consumption patterns in patients with alcohol dependence.


METHODS
We analyzed a sample of 188 patients at admission for alcohol detoxification regarding leptin and ghrelin (n=117) serum levels. Craving was measured using the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Patients were classified according to Lesch's typology of alcohol dependence and according to their preferred type of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, spirits).


RESULTS
Using general linear models to analyze a possible interaction between subtypes and leptin/ghrelin levels with respect to craving, we found a significant positive association for leptin in patients of Lesch's types 1 and 2, and in patients consuming beer or wine. Ghrelin levels showed a significant trend regarding an association with craving in patients of Lesch's type 1. In the other subgroups we found no significant results.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that appetite-regulating peptides may be of special importance regarding alcohol craving in subtypes of patients. This may explicate at least in part previous contradictory findings.
Hillemacher
Thomas
T
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. thomas.hillemacher@uk-erlangen.de
Kraus
Thomas
T
Rauh
Johannes
J
Weiss
Julian
J
Schanze
Anja
A
Frieling
Helge
H
Wilhelm
Julia
J
Heberlein
Annemarie
A
Gröschl
Michael
M
Sperling
Wolfgang
W
Kornhuber
Johannes
J
Bleich
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000502:physiology*
D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin; D036361:Peptide Hormones