Plasma cyclic AMP in non-abstinent chronic alcoholics. Relation to clinical parameters

Plasma cyclic AMP levels were determined in a group of 36 male chronic alcoholics during a period of their usual alcohol intake and compared to 29 normal controls. Significantly lower values (P less than 0.005) were found in the patient group. The possible influence of age, chronicity of drinking, family history of alcoholism, dementia and liver injury on plasma cAMP levels was examined by multiple regression analysis. No influence of those factors could be established except that demented alcoholics showed a trend toward higher levels than a non-demented subgroup. The role of reduced beta-adrenergic receptor activity during chronic alcohol ingestion is discussed in relation to the above findings.