[Search for biochemical factors implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholism in different ethnic populations]

A Chukotka indigenous population (the Chukchis, Eskimos) craving alcohol was examined. Changes in the levels of endogenous ethanol (EE) and its relation to calcium homeostasis, hypophyseal-adrenocortical hormones (stress) in the body are regarded as a possible role in alcohol motivation and ethanol dependence. The frequency and pattern of alcohol consumption, high alcoholism incidence rates in the family history may consider the Arctic Mongoloids as a group at high risk for alcoholism. Manifestations, such as lost control over the dose used, alcoholic amnesia, occasional use of alcohol poisoning doses with high rates of alcohol dependence, withdrawal syndrome, were noted in more than half the examines. The reproduction accuracy of correlations between the baseline signs was maximizing by factorial analysis. Four major factors (63.3% of complete variability) were singled out, two aspects were found in the system of metabolism and biochemical variabilities: 1) the secretion of cortisol, testosterone and the activity of 2-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) contributes to the increase of EE concentrations with the simultaneous decrease in the blood levels of ionized calcium (Ca++) and uric acid (UA). On the contrary, higher Ca++ and UA concentrations directly or indirectly inhibit hormones and the functional activity of the adrenal cortex, testes and lower the levels of EE, some enzymes, and total protein, 2) Calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) seem to be factors favouring the activation of insulin that enhances the membranous transport not only of glucose, but some other saccharides together with EE. The findings suggests that there is an intricate impact of balance ratios in the scheme wherein Ca++ is likely to act as a link between the stimulus and secretion of hypophyseal, adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid hormones, on the one hand, and EE concentrations. A relationship of pleiads reflects a common process of the integration of neurohumoral mechanisms and the regulation of calcium metabolism. The findings serve as a basis for further studies of different links of the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for the development of alcoholism in terms of ethnic features.