Alterations of homocysteine serum levels during alcohol withdrawal are influenced by folate and riboflavin: results from the German Investigation on Neurobiology in Alcoholism (GINA).
OBJECTIVE
Various studies have shown that plasma homocysteine (HCY) serum levels are elevated in actively drinking alcohol-dependent patients a during alcohol withdrawal, while rapidly declining during abstinence. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated not only with blood alcohol concentration (BAC), but also with deficiency of different B-vitamins, particularly folate, pyridoxine and cobalamin.


METHODS
Our study included 168 inpatients (110 men, 58 women) after admission for detoxification treatment. BAC, folate, cobalamin, pyridoxine, thiamine and riboflavin were obtained on admission (Day 1). HCY was assessed on Days 1, 7 and 11.


RESULTS
HCY levels significantly declined during withdrawal. General linear models and linear regression analysis showed an influence of BAC, folate and riboflavin on the HCY levels on admission as well as on HCY changes occurring during alcohol withdrawal. No significant influence was found for thiamine, cobalamin and pyridoxine.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that not only BAC and plasma folate levels, but also plasma levels of riboflavin influence HCY plasma levels in alcohol-dependent patients.
Department of Addiction and Psychotherapy, LVR-Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Peter
P
Heese
Michael
M
Linnebank
Alexander
A
Semmler
Marc A N
MA
Muschler
Annemarie
A
Heberlein
Helge
H
Frieling
Birgit
B
Stoffel-Wagner
Johannes
J
Kornhuber
Markus
M
Banger
Stefan
S
Bleich
Thomas
T
Hillemacher
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000209:etiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013831:Thiamine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D006710:Homocysteine; D000431:Ethanol; D005492:Folic Acid; D011736:Pyridoxine; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D012256:Riboflavin; D013831:Thiamine