Gender differences for ghrelin levels in alcohol-dependent patients and differences between alcoholics and healthy controls.
BACKGROUND
Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid gut-brain peptide, mainly secreted by the gastric mucosa. Its effects are linked to energy homeostasis and particularly seem to increase hunger and food intake. In recent years, studies suggested that appetite-regulating peptides, such as ghrelin play a relevant role in alcoholism. Since data published to date on the potential role of ghrelin as state and/or trait marker in alcoholism and the association with craving are controversial, we aimed at further elucidating these aspects.


METHODS
One-hundred nine alcohol-dependent abstinent patients after withdrawal (27 f, 82 m), (ICD 10 F 10.25) and 45 healthy volunteers (12 f, 33 m) were included. Laboratory testing (Ghrelin RIA 90, Mediagnost Inc., Germany) was performed and several craving scales [Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale, Alcohol Urge Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)] were applied at the beginning and at the end of the 3-week rehabilitation program.


RESULTS
(1) Ghrelin levels are significantly higher in female alcohol-dependent patients as compared to controls, not, however, in men alcoholics. (2) In several statistical subanalyses, an association of craving and ghrelin was found. The results, however, remain heterogeneous.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest gender-dependent ghrelin levels in alcohol-dependent patients. We therefore conclude, that it might be useful to perform statistical analyses gender-specific. With regard to a potential correlation of ghrelin and craving the results seem to depend on gender, duration of the abstinence period and the instrument used.
Wurst
Friedrich M
FM
Psychiatric University Clinic, University of Basel, Switzerland. f.wurst@salk.at
Graf
Iris
I
Ehrenthal
Hans D
HD
Klein
Silvia
S
Backhaus
Jutta
J
Blank
Sebastian
S
Graf
Marc
M
Pridzun
Lutz
L
Wiesbeck
Gerhard A
GA
Junghanns
Klaus
K
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D004328:Drive; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D054439:Ghrelin