Alcohol-related phenotypes and platelet serotonin concentration

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Gordana Nedić Erjavec
• Author: Jasminka Bektić Hodžić
• Author: Senka Repovečki
• Author: Matea Nikolac Perković
• Author: Suzana Uzun
• Author: Oliver Kozumplik
• Author: Lucija Tudor
• Author: Ninoslav Mimica
• Author: Dubravka Švob Štrac
• Author: Nela Pivac
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Psychiatry

Abstract (english)

Alcohol dependence is a chronic relapsing mental disorder with heterogeneous and complex underlying biology. It is frequently associated with nicotine dependence, severity of alcohol dependence symptoms, and diverse alcohol-related phenotypes, including the presence of delirium tremens and withdrawal symptoms, early or late onset of alcohol abuse, aggression, suicidal behavior, and anxiety. While searching for peripheral biomarkers of altered serotonergic (5-HT) function in alcohol dependence and alcohol-related behaviors, we determined a peripheral biomarker, i.e., platelet 5-HT concentration in a large group of Caucasian subjects with alcohol dependence subdivided according to the presence of specific alcohol-related phenotypes and smoking status. Individuals with alcohol dependence (n = 661) of both sexes were evaluated using Structural Clinical Interview based on DSM-IV criteria, while platelet 5-HT concentration was determined using the spectrophotofluorimetric method. Smoking is significantly associated, while sex and age are not, with platelet 5-HT concentration. Severe alcohol dependence and lack of withdrawal symptoms were associated with significantly decreased platelet 5-HT concentration in alcohol-dependent non-smokers. In smokers, significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentration was found in patients with the late onset of alcohol abuse. These results suggested that platelet 5-HT concentration might be used as a peripheral marker of different alcohol-related phenotypes, after controlling for the effects of smoking and sex.

• Keywords (english): Alcoholism; Female; Humans; Male; Phenotype; Serotonin; Smoking; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / complications
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Alcohol
• Numbering: vol. 97, pp. 41-49
• p-ISSN: 0741-8329
• e-ISSN: 1873-6823
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2021.09.001
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:372980
• Publication: 2021-12
• Document URL: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0741832921000926
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access; Embargo expiration date: 2023-01-01
• Created on: 2022-04-28 09:26:06