Increased transforming growth factor-beta1 in alcohol dependence.
Ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde increase transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression in animal studies. TGF-beta1 is related with the hepatic stellate cell (the key element of hepatic fibrogenesis) and the radial glia (the key element of neuronal migration). Blood samples were collected from 41 patients with alcohol dependence, TGF-beta1 levels measured by ELISA were compared with 41 normal subjects. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels in the patients with alcohol dependence (1,653.11+/-532.45 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (669.87+/-366.53 pg/mL) (P=0.000). Patients with or without liver pathology showed no difference in TGF-beta1 (P=0.36). Increased TGF-beta1 may mediate deleterious effect of alcohol such as hepatic fibrosis and suppressed neuronal developments in alcohol dependence patients.
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea.
Yong-Ku
YK
Kim
Boung Chul
BC
Lee
Byung Joo
BJ
Ham
Byung-Hwan
BH
Yang
Sungwon
S
Roh
Joonho
J
Choi
Tae-Cheon
TC
Kang
Young-Gyu
YG
Chai
Ihn-Geun
IG
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1