HMGB1 Protein in Alcohol-Related Psychopathological Disorders at Various Stages of Alcohol Dependence

Chronic alcohol consumption in alcohol dependence (AD) is associated with various molecular and cellular dysfunctions. One of the key mechanisms involved is the extracellular release of HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1), a nuclear protein that acts as a proinflammatory signaling molecule. However, the dynamics of peripheral HMGB1 levels across different stages of AD and its association with psychopathological symptoms remain insufficiently understood.

To investigate peripheral HMGB1 concentrations in patients with AD during different disease stages - alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), post-abstinence state (PAS), and remission - and to assess their associations with clinical characteristics of the disease.

The study included 53 men aged 30-60 years diagnosed with AD and 19 conditionally healthy men who served as controls for biological analyses. Clinical and biological assessments were performed at three time points: (1) during AWS; (2) after completion of standard therapy (PAS); and (3) during remission following hospital discharge. The severity of psychopathological symptoms was evaluated using validated clinical rating scales. Serum HMGB1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Patients with AD demonstrated significantly elevated serum HMGB1 levels during AWS and PAS compared with controls, whereas HMGB1 concentrations decreased to control values during remission. Correlation and ROC analyses revealed that higher HMGB1 levels were associated with a less pronounced reduction in psychopathological symptoms following treatment.

Peripheral HMGB1 may represent a promising biomarker for monitoring treatment response and predicting relapse risk in AD.