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Ghrelin levels are increased in alcoholism.
Thomas Kraus1, Anja Schanze, Michael Gröschl
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany. thomas.kraus@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|December 31, 2005
Summary
Ghrelin levels are elevated in alcoholics and increase during withdrawal, but are not linked to alcohol craving. This study explored ghrelin
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Addiction Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Leptin and ghrelin are key neuropeptides in appetite regulation, with distinct orexigenic (ghrelin) and anorexigenic (leptin) roles.
- Elevated leptin levels correlate with alcohol craving in alcoholism.
- Ghrelin, a hunger-inducing gut peptide, warrants investigation in alcoholic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in ghrelin levels in alcoholic patients.
- To determine the association between ghrelin levels and alcohol craving.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included 97 active drinkers (Group A) and 21 early abstainers (Group B) hospitalized for alcoholism.
- Ghrelin plasma levels and craving data were assessed on days 0, 1, 2, and 7(-10).
- Data were compared between patient groups and 24 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Alcoholic patients consistently exhibited significantly higher ghrelin plasma levels than healthy controls.
- Early abstainers had significantly higher ghrelin levels compared to active drinkers.
- Active drinkers showed increased ghrelin levels over time compared to baseline; no correlation with craving scores was found.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin levels are elevated in individuals with alcoholism.
- Ghrelin levels appear to increase further during alcohol withdrawal.
- Ghrelin levels are not associated with alcohol craving in this patient cohort.