title: Structural chromatin alterations in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcohol-dependent individuals during detoxification therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the state of chromatin condensation in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcoholics, during the early detoxification period, in order to highlight structural modifications, indicating epigenetic mechanisms regulated by alcohol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from alcoholic patients, who were admitted for detoxification on an inpatient basis, and from healthy controls. The level of condensed heterochromatin and de-condensed euchromatin were detected through the ratio of lysine to arginine residues, by the application of the ammoniacal silver reaction (ASR) staining on leukocyte pellets, and through immunohistochemical localization of histone H1 on peripheral blood smears.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lymphocytes and neutrophils with relaxed de-condensed chromatin were found, indicating a more reactive genome in alcoholics, even at the stage of detoxification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results underline the importance of chromatin structure of leukocytes as a sensitive, peripheral, biological marker for epigenetic studies in living chronic alcoholics.
authors: Research Unit of Histochemistry and Electron Microscopy, First Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece mchrysa@eginitio.uoa.gr.
authors: Margarita Chrysanthou
authors: MC
authors: Piterou
authors: Neurobiology Research Institute, Theodor Theohari Cozzika Foundation, Athens, Greece.
authors: Ismini Kloukina
authors: IK
authors: Pantazidou
authors: Neurobiology Research Institute, Theodor Theohari Cozzika Foundation, Athens, Greece Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Sophia
authors: S
authors: Havaki
authors: Research Unit of Histochemistry and Electron Microscopy, First Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Liappas
authors: Research Unit of Histochemistry and Electron Microscopy, First Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece Neurobiology Research Institute, Theodor Theohari Cozzika Foundation, Athens, Greece.
authors: Marietta Issidorides
authors: MI
authors: Radovitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D022041:Euchromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D022041:Euchromatin; D006570:Heterochromatin; D006657:Histones
keywords: Alcoholism; ammoniacal silver reaction; arginine; chromatin; electron microscopy; histones; immunohistochemistry; lymphocytes; lysine