2024-03-28T23:33:06Zhttp://open-archive.highwire.org/handler
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/2952015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
THE EFFECTS OF PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE ON INFANT MENTAL DEVELOPMENT: A META-ANALYTICAL REVIEW
Testa, Maria
Quigley, Brian M.
Eiden, Rina Das
REVIEWS
<b>Aims:</b> Although research on fetal alcohol exposure has had a significant effect on social norms and public policy, there has been little quantitative review of this literature. <b>Methods:</b> Meta-analysis was used to examine the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on infant mental development, assessed using the Mental Development Index (MDI) from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, a widely used, standardized measure. The current study examined the effects of three levels of average daily exposure during pregnancy: less than 1 drink per day, 1–1.99 drinks per day and 2 or more drinks per day. Analyses were conducted separately for effects derived from observations of 6–8-, 12–13- and 18–26-month-old children. <b>Results:</b> Fetal alcohol exposure at all three dosage levels was associated with significantly lower MDI scores among 12–13-month-olds. The effect was attenuated, but not eliminated, when effect sizes adjusted for relevant covariates were used. For younger and older children, the effect of fetal alcohol exposure did not attain statistical significance at any dosage level. <b>Conclusions:</b> This pattern of results may reflect differences in MDI item content at different ages and the differential sensitivity of these abilities to prenatal alcohol exposure. Because the body of relevant literature is neither large nor conclusive, and because of heterogeneity in measurement, analysis and samples, caution is urged in interpreting results. Future research would benefit from use of more specific measures of infant outcomes and consideration of the impact of relevant covariates, different dosage patterns and timing of drinking on infant mental development.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/295
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg087
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3052015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOPAMINE D2 RECEPTOR-ASSOCIATED RESPONSES AND OPERANT ETHANOL SELF-ADMINISTRATION IN THE RAT: A FACTOR ANALYSIS
Rogowski, Artur
Rokicki, Dariusz
Kostowski, Wojciech
Bienkowski, Przemyslaw
Experimental Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To characterize the relationship between dopamine D<inf>2</inf> receptor-associated responses and operant ethanol self-administration in Wistar rats. <b>Methods:</b> Thirty-two rats were first tested for apomorphine-induced sniffing and raclopride-induced catalepsy. Subsequently, the same subjects were initiated to lever press for ethanol in the sucrose-fading procedure. The subjects were allowed to respond for 8% v/v ethanol for 20 days. A factor analysis was used to characterize the relationship between D<inf>2</inf>-associated responses and parameters of sucrose and ethanol self-administration. <b>Results:</b> The analysis revealed three factors accounting for 88.3% of the total variability. The first factor comprised only parameters of ethanol-reinforced behaviour. Parameters of sucrose self-administration and cataleptic responses to raclopride loaded heavily on the second and third factors, respectively. None of the factors comprised apomorphine-induced stereotypy. <b>Conclusions:</b> It appears that there is no relationship between apomorphine-induced sniffing, raclopride-induced catalepsy and operant responding for ethanol in Wistar rats. Our results, combined with previous reports, suggest that D<inf>2</inf> receptors are not primarily involved in the regulation of ethanol reinforcement.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/305
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg081
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3102015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
LACK OF IFENPRODIL ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY AFTER ITS MULTIPLE TREATMENT IN CHRONICALLY ETHANOL-TREATED RATS
Mikolajczak, P.
Okulicz-Kozaryn, I.
Kaminska, E.
Szulc, M.
Dyr, W.
Kostowski, W.
Experimental Studies
<b>Aims:</b> The purpose of this study was to assess the anxiolytic activity of ifenprodil in Warsaw high-preferring (WHP) and low-preferring (WLP) rats after chronic ethanol treatment. <b>Methods:</b> WHP and WLP animals, their paired-ethanol-naive groups and control Wistar rats were treated with ifenprodil (1.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 21 consecutive days. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated by using the two-compartment exploratory test. In addition, the locomotor activity paradigm was also assessed. <b>Results:</b> Ifenprodil did not affect this paradigm in all investigated groups. The ethanol treatment led to lowering of anxiolytic scores in WHP rats. Multiple ifenprodil administration showed an anxiogenic-like activity in both WHP- and WLP-ethanol-treated groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results suggest that, under some conditions, the role of ifenprodil in the treatment of alcoholism may be insufficient to support its use.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/310
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg078
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3162015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ETHANOL CONSUMPTION AND ETHANOL WITHDRAWAL ON SERUM CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN RATS
Bilgi, Cumhur
Tokgöz, Serhat
Aydin, Ahmet
Çelik, Turgay
Uzbay, I. Tayfun
Experimental Studies
<b>Aims:</b> The effect of chronic ethanol consumption and ethanol withdrawal on serum cholinesterase (ChE) activity was investigated in female Wistar rats. <b>Methods:</b> Ethanol was administered by a modified liquid diet with 4.8% (v/v) ethanol for 3 days followed by 25 days on a liquid diet in which the ethanol concentration was increased to 7.2%. Control rats were pair-fed with an isocaloric liquid diet not containing ethanol. The blood ethanol concentration and serum ChE activity were measured at the end of the 4.8% ethanol consumption period; after 7, 14 and 35 days of ethanol (7.2%) consumption, and at 24 and 72 h after ethanol withdrawal following ethanol consumption of 35 days. <b>Results:</b> Daily ethanol consumption of the rats ranged from 11.5 to 14.9 g/kg. Serum ChE activity was found significantly increased from the 3rd day of ethanol (4.8%) consumption. Serum ChE activities of the rats receiving 7.2% ethanol also increased significantly compared with rats ingesting 4.8% ethanol. Blood ethanol levels were measured as 121 and 0.88 mg/dl on the 35th day of ethanol (7.2%) consumption (just before ethanol withdrawal) and after 24 h of ethanol withdrawal, respectively. Increased serum ChE activity (1968 U/l) was still observed (1942 U/l) after 24 h of ethanol withdrawal. ChE activity returned to control levels (501 U/l) after 72 h of ethanol withdrawal. Audiogenic seizures indicating development of physical dependence on ethanol were also observed after 8 h of ethanol withdrawal in another individual group of ethanol-fed rats. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results show that serum ChE activity is increased by chronic ethanol consumption in rats and that this increase is affected by ethanol concentration and duration of ethanol ingestion.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/316
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg089
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3212015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
SUBNORMAL ALPHA-2-ADRENOCEPTOR-MEDIATED SEDATION DURING 6 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY IN MALE TYPE 1 ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT SUBJECTS
Berggren, Ulf
Berglund, Kristina
Eriksson, Matts
Fahlke, Claudia
Zachrisson, Olof
Balldin, Jan
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> In the present study, α<inf>2</inf>-adrenoceptor function was investigated over 6 months of sobriety in eight male alcohol-dependent subjects. <b>Methods:</b> Subjects were investigated with repeated clonidine (CLON, 2 μg/kg body weight intravenously) challenge tests at days 1 and 7, and months 2 and 6 after the end of a period of heavy alcohol intake. CLON-induced sedation was rated at challenge tests. Mental well-being was self-reported before all challenge tests. Three challenge tests were performed at 1-week intervals in six male healthy controls. <b>Results:</b> Sedation was significantly lower after CLON at all time-points for the challenge tests in alcohol-dependent subjects compared with mean values for three challenge tests in controls. Three dimensions of mental well-being were negatively correlated with scores of CLON-induced sedation at month 6. <b>Conclusions:</b> α<inf>2</inf>-Adrenoceptor function is subnormal, as assessed by CLON-induced sedation, for at least 6 months after termination of alcohol intake. Whether this subnormal receptor function is pre-existing and possibly genetically determined or is a consequence of long-term alcohol intake must be further investigated, as should this receptor status in alcohol-dependent subjects with longer time-periods of sobriety.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/321
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg086
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3272015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY MEN: A COMMUNITY STUDY FROM WESTERN INDIA
Gupta, Prakash C.
Saxena, Shekhar
Pednekar, Mangesh S.
Maulik, Pallab K.
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To assess the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use in a middle-aged and elderly population in Mumbai, India. <b>Methods:</b> 50 220 men aged ≥45 years from the lower and lower-middle section of the general population were interviewed. <b>Results:</b> 18.8% were currently consuming alcoholic beverages, of whom 32.8% drank on at least 6 days per week. The most popular beverage was locally distilled products of fruits and grain (country liquor). Seventy-five per cent of the consumers of country liquor would consume over 53 g of ethanol on a day when they drank, with 46.6% of these doing so on at least 6 days per week. <b>Conclusions:</b> Abstinence, and also heavy and frequent use of alcohol, are common in this population and the latter is likely to have significant public health implications.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/327
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg077
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3322015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
EVENT-RELATED POTENTIAL RESPONSES TO ALCOHOL-RELATED STIMULI IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUNG ADULTS: RELATION TO FAMILY HISTORY OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG USAGE
Ehlers, Cindy L.
Phillips, Evelyn
Sweeny, Antonio
Slawecki, Craig J.
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To use event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the response to alcohol-related stimuli in African–American young adults. <b>Methods:</b> ERPs to an object recognition task, that included pictures of objects, food and alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related drinks as stimuli, were obtained in 81 African–American young adult men and women (18–25 years old) without a personal history of alcohol dependence. Information on: psychiatric diagnoses, personal drinking and drug use history, and familial history of alcoholism was also obtained. <b>Results:</b> Family history was found to be associated with lowered P3 components and higher N1 components in response to the non-alcohol-related drinks. Additionally, an exploratory analyses revealed that lower amplitude N1 components were generated in response to alcohol-related stimuli in regular marijuana users compared with non-regular users. No associations of N1 or P3 amplitudes with conduct disorder symptoms or current drinking status were found in this population. <b>Conclusions:</b> These studies demonstrated that family history is significantly and selectively associated with lower P3 amplitudes in this group of young adult men and women of African–American heritage. Additionally, current usage of marijuana and alcohol do not modify P3 amplitudes. However, regular marijuana use may diminish N1 response to alcohol-related stimuli, whereas, family history of alcoholism may augment N1 responses. Taken together these studies further suggest that ERPs can provide specific information on alcoholism risk as well as use of other misused drugs.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/332
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg080
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3392015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
ESTIMATION OF TOBACCO- OR ALCOHOL-ATTRIBUTABLE DISEASE RATES IN NATIONAL HOSPITAL CARE: AN APPROACH BASED ON ROUTINE IN-PATIENT DISEASE REGISTER DATA AND SYSTEMATIC DIAGNOSIS OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS
John, Ulrich
Rumpf, Hans-Jürgen
Hanke, Monika
Gerke, Peter
Hapke, Ulfert
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> The goal of this paper was to estimate and compare the numbers and rates of tobacco- or alcohol-attributable disease (TAAD) in in-patient-treated cases in a high tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption country, based on different estimates. <b>Methods:</b> Two samples, three TAAD estimates, and tobacco- or alcohol-attributable fractions were used. Sample 1 included all disease cases aged 25–64 years and treated more than 24 h as in-patients during the year 1997 (<it>n</it> = 7 344 079) in the hospitals in Germany. Sample 2 included all in-patients aged 25–64 years (<it>n</it> = 1136) consecutively admitted to one general hospital. The first estimate of the TAAD was the routine main diagnosis based on the treating physician’s report to the in-patient disease register (IDR) in sample 1. The second estimate included up to three routine treatment diagnoses in sample 2, and the third estimate a diagnosis of alcohol dependence or misuse according to DSM-III-R or ICD-10, as well as harmful or hazardous alcohol consumption, in sample 2. The tobacco- and alcohol-attributable fractions were calculated based on the method for the estimation of tobacco- and alcohol-attributable mortality, originally provided for the Centers for Disease Control in the USA. <b>Results:</b> When the three estimates were combined, a total of 37.8% of all in-patient treatment cases had at least one diagnosis that was attributable in part or fully to tobacco smoking, alcohol dependence, alcohol misuse, or harmful or hazardous alcohol drinking. When the tobacco- and the alcohol-attributable fractions were considered, of all treatment cases, 10.5% could be revealed as attributable to smoking or alcohol consumption according to the one main diagnosis based on the IDR. When all three estimates were combined, the rate was 30.2%. This corresponded to 32.2% of the national in-patient hospital care costs. <b>Conclusions:</b> The TAAD rate is underestimated when using one routine diagnosis alone. Additional alcohol misuse or dependence diagnoses are needed, which may be obtained with a reasonable level of resources in a sample of hospitals. TAAD rates may be used for the planning and practice of brief intervention and as an outcome measure for population-based intervention.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/339
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg082
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3472015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
URINARY ETHYL GLUCURONIDE AND 5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHOL LEVELS DURING REPEATED ETHANOL INGESTION IN HEALTHY HUMAN SUBJECTS
Sarkola, Taisto
Dahl, Helen
Eriksson, C. J. Peter
Helander, Anders
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> This study investigated the stability and reproducibility of urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and the 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL) to 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) ratio, both of which are used as biochemical markers of recent alcohol consumption, after single and multiple oral doses of ethanol in healthy human subjects. <b>Methods:</b> Nine females aged 19–27 years drank ethanol (8%, w/v, in juice) or placebo (juice) in random order. The intervention consisted of 0.4 g/kg (22–28 g) of ethanol or placebo twice daily (in the morning and evening) during 8 consecutive days, starting in the evening on day 1. Spot urine samples of the first morning void were collected during the 8-day drinking period and for another 3 days (days 9–11) with no intake of ethanol or placebo. Ethanol, EtG, 5-HTOL and 5-HIAA were determined in the urine samples by headspace GC, LC–MS, GC–MS and HPLC, respectively. <b>Results:</b> The individual results during the drinking period were highly variable, both within and between subjects, ranging from 0–7.3 mmol/l for ethanol, 1.4–71.0 mg/l for EtG, 0.1–4.5 mg/mmol for the EtG/creatinine ratio, and 2–109 nmol/μmol for 5-HTOL/5-HIAA. The placebo group consistently showed negative values for ethanol (< 0.1 mmol/l) and 5-HTOL/5-HIAA (< 15 nmol/μmol), but two samples were positive for EtG (> 0.1 mg/l). In the morning of day 9 (i.e. ∼14–15 h after the last dose), ethanol was no longer measurable in urine and the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio had returned to below the reference value, but detectable levels of EtG (11.3 ± 6.0 mg/l, mean ± SD) and the EtG/creatinine ratio (1.0 ± 0.3 mg/mmol) were found in all samples. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results confirm the increase in urinary EtG and 5-HTOL levels during acute ethanol intake, although the individual values were highly variable both within and between subjects. No significant accumulation of either compound occurred upon multiple-dose administration of 0.8 g/kg (44–57 g) ethanol per day for ∼1 week.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/347
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg083
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3522015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
CHILDHOOD ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE: A 1-YEAR FOLLOW-UP
Ercan, Eyüp Sabri
Coskunol, Hakan
Varan, Azmi
Toksöz, Kaan
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To investigate the onset and outcome of alcohol dependence in subjects with childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a Turkish sample. <b>Methods:</b> Among patients being treated for alcohol dependence, 15 had a history of childhood ADHD [ADHD (+)] and 45 did not [ADHD (–)]. ADHD history was assessed according to DSM-IV criteria by a child and adolescent psychiatrist who interviewed the subjects and their close relatives. Severity of dependence was measured by the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Subjects were followed up for 1 year for the assessment of relapse. <b>Results:</b> The age of onset for alcohol drinking, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence were significantly lower in the ADHD (+) group than in the ADHD (–) group. Comorbid substance use was more prevalent in the ADHD (+) group. The study found no significant difference in the severity of alcohol dependence between ADHD (+) and ADHD (–) groups. During follow-up, 80% of the ADHD (+) subjects relapsed, compared with 55.6% in the ADHD (–) group. Relapse occurred on average 2.74 months earlier in the ADHD (+) group than in the ADHD (–) group. <b>Conclusions:</b> As found in other countries, alcohol dependence in Turkish subjects with childhood ADHD starts early and is relatively resistant to treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD might help prevent alcohol- and substance-related disorders.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/352
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg084
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3572015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
CASE REPORT: MANAGING FRACTURES IN NON-COMPLIANT ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS -- A CHALLENGING TASK
Charalambous, C. P.
Zipitis, C. S.
Kumar, R.
Hirst, P.
Paul, A. S.
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To investigate whether there are extractable conclusions for limb fracture management in dependent alcoholics. <b>Methods:</b> We discuss four cases of dependent alcoholics who presented in our department over a 12-month period, and who developed significant complications owing to non-compliance with treatment. <b>Results:</b> Initial treatment, although appropriate, failed because of non-compliance. This led to further admissions, wound infections and surgery to enable cure. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our case reports indicate that for upper limb fractures of the middle third of the humerus, non-operative treatment or internal fixation with out-patient detoxification is appropriate. Lower limb fractures, on the other hand, should be dealt with by external fixation and in-patient detoxification. It is imperative that the alcohol dependence is addressed if we are to decrease non-compliance.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/357
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg085
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3602015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
THE ROLE OF ANXIETY IN PREDICTING DRINKING BEHAVIOUR
Sloan, Tracy B.
Roache, John D.
Johnson, Bankole A.
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> We investigated whether reduced anxiety predicted improved drinking outcomes over and above age of onset and ondansetron treatment among alcoholics enrolled in a clinical trial. <b>Methods:</b> Study design was a 2 (early onset alcoholics versus late onset alcoholics) × 4 (placebo and ondansetron 1, 4 and 16 μg/kg twice daily) factorial randomized clinical trial during which all participants received weekly group cognitive behavioural therapy. Using weighted least squares regression, we examined the effects of ondansetron dose, age of onset, pre-treatment drinking and anxiety level (measured by Profile of Mood States) on end-state drinking behaviour. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ondansetron dose, age of onset and pre-treatment drinking influence end-state drinking behaviour. <b>Results and conclusions:</b> The present study added to our previous knowledge, indicating that when change in anxiety level was included as a predictor of end-state drinking, it also accounted for a significant proportion of the variance. Those who experienced decreases in anxiety during the treatment reported fewer drinks per day at their last visit compared with those who reported increases in anxiety.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/360
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg090
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3642015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
LEPTIN LEVELS OF ALCOHOL ABSTAINERS AND DETOXIFICATION PATIENTS ARE NOT DIFFERENT
Wurst, Friedrich Martin
Bechtel, Gaby
Forster, Stefan
Wolfersdorf, Manfred
Huber, Peter
Scholer, André
Pridzun, Lutz
Alt, Andreas
Seidl, Stephan
Dierkes, Jutta
Dammann, Gerhard
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> Leptin is a cytokine-type peptide hormone, recently implicated as a putative state marker of alcohol use and in craving. Our goal was to evaluate the potential of leptin as a state and trait marker and to rule out the role of current alcohol intoxication on leptin levels. <b>Methods:</b> Eighteen alcohol withdrawal patients (16 males, 2 females) whose blood contained 202 mg/dl (median) of ethanol at hospitalization, who had a median age of 43.5 years and had consumed 1075 g of ethanol (median) in the last 7 days were included in the study. Leptin was determined in samples at day 1 (when still intoxicated) and day 7 of withdrawal. Expected leptin levels were calculated with a formula. For comparison, 27 blood samples of 18 abstinent persons, matched for gender, age and body mass index were used. Furthermore, mean cell volume, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and body composition (bioimpedance device) were determined. For statistical analysis, SPSS 11 was used. <b>Results:</b> Expected leptin levels were 1.71 ng/ml (median), leptin measured at day 1 was 2.65 ng/ml (median) and 2.85 ng/ml on day 7 for the alcohol withdrawal patients and 2.2 ng/ml (median) for the abstainers. These concentrations were not significantly different. Significant correlations were found between leptin day 1 and expected leptin levels, percentage fat body mass, cigarettes smoked per day, GGT and blood alcohol concentration. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our preliminary data do not support the hypothesis of leptin as a state or trait marker and suggest only a minor influence of acute intoxication on leptin levels in alcohol detoxification patients.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/364
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg088
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3692015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
ACUPUNCTURE FOR ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Trümpler, François
Oez, Suzan
Stähli, Peter
Brenner, Hans Dieter
Jüni, Peter
Human Studies
<b>Background and Aims:</b> Previous trials on acupuncture in alcohol addiction were in outpatients and focused on relapse prevention. Rates of dropout were high and interpretation of results difficult. We compared auricular laser and needle acupuncture with sham laser stimulation in reducing the duration of alcohol withdrawal. <b>Methods:</b> Inpatients undergoing alcohol withdrawal were randomly allocated to laser acupuncture (<it>n</it> = 17), needle acupuncture (<it>n</it> = 15) or sham laser stimulation (<it>n</it> = 16). Attempts were made to blind patients, therapists and outcome assessors, but this was not feasible for needle acupuncture. The duration of withdrawal symptoms (as assessed using a nurse-rated scale) was the primary outcome; the duration of sedative prescription was the secondary outcome. <b>Results:</b> Patients randomized to laser and sham laser had identical withdrawal symptom durations (median 4 days). Patients randomized to needle stimulation had a shorter duration of withdrawal symptoms (median 3 days; <it>P</it> = 0.019 versus sham intervention), and tended to have a shorter duration of sedative use, but these differences diminished after adjustment for baseline differences. <b>Conclusions:</b> The data from this pilot trial do not suggest a relevant benefit of auricular laser acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal. A larger trial including adequate sham interventions is needed, however, to reliably determine the effectiveness of any type of auricular acupuncture in this condition.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/369
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg091
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3762015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
DETECTING THIAMINE IN BEER
Stacey, Phillip S.
Sullivan, Karen A.
Human Studies
<b>Aims:</b> To ascertain whether thiamine HCl could be detected in beer using a double-blind triangular taste test. <b>Methods:</b> Three 100 ml samples of beer to which 10 or 0 mg of thiamine were added were presented in counterbalanced order to 49 volunteers. Subjects consumed and rated each sample separately for taste and appearance and chose which beer was different. <b>Results:</b> Thiamine-enriched beer could not be reliably distinguished from normal beer. However, a significant perceptual taste difference was found, with participants rating thiamine-fortified beer as more bitter than normal beer. <b>Conclusions:</b> Thiamine was found to alter the perception of bitterness of beer, but thiamine-fortified beer could not be reliably distinguished from normal beer.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/376
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg093
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3812015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
THE EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN CHAMPAGNE ON PSYCHOMETRIC PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD-ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
Ridout, Fran
Gould, Stuart
Nunes, Carlo
Hindmarch, Ian
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
<b>Aims:</b> To assess the effects of carbon dioxide (CO<inf>2</inf>) in champagne on psychomotor performance and blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). <b>Methods:</b> Twelve subjects consumed ethanol (0.6 g/kg body weight) served as champagne or champagne with the CO<inf>2</inf> removed, in a crossover study. <b>Results:</b> Champagne produced significantly greater BACs and significantly increased reaction times in a divided attention task, than degassed champagne. <b>Conclusions:</b> The CO<inf>2</inf> in champagne may accelerate absorption of alcohol, leading to more rapid or severe intoxication.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/381
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg092
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:38/4/3862015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:38:4
ALCOHOL INTAKE AFTER SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER INACTIVATION IN MICE
Kelaï, Sabah
Aïssi, Franck
Lesch, Klaus Peter
Cohen-Salmon, Charles
Hamon, Michel
Lanfumey, Laurence
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
Knock-out mice lacking the serotonin transporter [5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)] were used to assess the influence of 5-HT re-uptake on ethanol consumption. Under a free-choice paradigm, alcohol intake was lower in mutant than in wild-type mice, and pharmacological blockade of 5-HTT by fluoxetine reduced alcohol intake in wild-type mice only. These data confirm the inhibitory effect of 5-HTT inactivation on ethanol intake.
Oxford University Press
2003-07-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/38/4/386
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agg095
en
Copyright (C) 2003, Medical Council on Alcohol