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Published on: March 23, 2022
Serum Zonulin Levels in Patients with Heroin Addiction
Yusuf Cokunlu1, Kamile Yucel2, Ikbal Inanli3
1Department of Psychiatry, Konya Numune Hospital, Konya, Türkiye.
Sisli Etfal Hastanesi Tip Bulteni
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Serum zonulin levels, indicating intestinal permeability, are elevated in individuals with heroin addiction, persisting even during remission. This suggests potential ongoing gut-brain axis alterations in heroin addiction recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Opioid use impacts the gut-brain axis and intestinal barrier function.
- Zonulin, a marker of intestinal permeability, is linked to neuropsychiatric and inflammatory conditions.
- The role of zonulin in heroin addiction and remission requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum zonulin levels in male patients with heroin addiction during active heroin use and remission.
- To compare these levels with healthy controls.
- To explore the potential of zonulin as a biomarker for heroin addiction.
Main Methods:
- 104 male participants: active heroin users (AHU), patients in remission (R) on buprenorphine/naloxone, and healthy controls (C).
- Serum zonulin levels measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Statistical analyses included group comparisons, correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Main Results:
- Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher in the active heroin use group compared to the remission group.
- Zonulin levels were elevated in the remission group compared to controls (p=0.02).
- Overall, heroin addiction (active use + remission) showed significantly higher zonulin levels than controls (p=0.00), with ROC analysis indicating moderate discriminatory value.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum zonulin suggests persistent intestinal permeability in heroin addiction remission.
- Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the study's cross-sectional design and medication-stabilized remission state.
- Longitudinal studies with gut microbiota analysis are recommended to understand zonulin's dynamics in heroin addiction recovery.
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