Intensity of opiate withdrawal in relation to the 825C>T polymorphism of the G-protein beta 3 subunit gene.
OBJECTIVE
The intensity of withdrawal in opiate dependence shows a high inter-individual variability. The 825C>T polymorphism (rs5443) of the G-protein beta 3 (GNB3) subunit gene has a strong influence on clinical signs of sympathetic activity in cardiac research. This study was carried out in order to test the hypothesis that carriers of the T allele have an increased sympathetic activity in opiate withdrawal.


METHODS
Thirty-nine monovalent opiate addicted patients consecutively admitted to a detoxification ward were investigated. The main parameter for sympathetic activity was the pulse rate in the first 3 days after the regular end of gradual methadone reduction.


RESULTS
Thirty-three out of 39 patients achieved a drug-free state: 22 carried a T allele (TT, CT), 11 belonged to the CC genotype group. The pulse rate was significantly (p<0.05) raised in the T allele group compared to the CC genotype group on the first 2 days after stopping methadone administration. In addition, about a third of the T allele carriers needed clonidine treatment on the respective days, but only one patient among the 11 CC homozygotes. There was no significant difference between groups in systolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as in subjective withdrawal ratings.


CONCLUSIONS
A group difference regarding pulse rate could be observed in a small sample and despite a higher degree of concomitant clonidine medication in T allele carriers. The failure to detect group differences in blood pressure and self-rated withdrawal symptoms may be attributed to the more complex regulation of blood pressure and the known weak correlation between objective and subjective withdrawal symptoms.
Lieb
B
B
Addiction Research Group at Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Bonnet
U
U
Specka
M
M
Augener
S
S
Bachmann
H S
HS
Siffert
W
W
Scherbaum
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; C454420:G-protein beta3 subunit; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D003000:Clonidine; D008691:Methadone