Evaluation of prooxidant-antioxidant balance in chronic heroin users in a single assay: an identification criterion for antioxidant supplementation.
BACKGROUND
Opiate abuse has been linked to oxidative stress, through the separate evaluation of oxidants and antioxidants.


OBJECTIVE
To determine prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in chronic heroin users in a single assay, easily applied in a clinical setting. Specifically, to examine whether PAB values correlate with the duration of abuse or with the presence of anti-HCV antibodies.


METHODS
Sixty-four chronic heroin users - 34 cases and 30 controls - participated in this study. PAB was determined by an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, developed by members of the study group.


RESULTS
In heroin users, oxidative balance was disrupted in favor of prooxidants. There was no correlation of PAB values with the duration of abuse or with the presence of anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic heroin users can benefit from an antioxidant therapy, and the method currently presented can be used as an identification criterion.
Kovatsi
Leda
L
Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. kovatsi@hotmail.com
Njau
Samuel
S
Nikolaou
Kakia
K
Topouridou
Konstantina
K
Papamitsou
Theodora
T
Koliakos
George
G
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006115:Greece; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D003932:Heroin / Q000652:urine; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016877:Oxidants / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000975:Antioxidants; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016877:Oxidants; D003932:Heroin