Beta-Endorphin and Oxytocin in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression

Abstract

Background: The neuropeptides β-endorphin and oxytocin are released into the bloodstream as hormones from the pituitary gland but also have an important function as neuroregulators in the forebrain. The blood levels of both polypeptides have been shown to reflect depressive symptoms. β-Endorphin, in particular, is also involved in abstinence from alcohol. Methods: The serum levels of β-endorphin and oxytocin were measured during the early withdrawal phase in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) with (N = 35) or without (N = 45) depressive comorbidity and compared with those in healthy volunteers (N = 23). In addition to comparing the groups, the study examined whether serum levels correlated with various psychometric measures of dependence, depression and aggression, as well as with clinical characteristics of dependence. Results: Both serum levels of beta-endorphin and oxytocin were significantly lower in patients than those in healthy controls (p = 0.011 for β-endorphin and p = 0.005 for oxytocin, Kruskal–Wallis test). In patients with depressive comorbidity, the significance was greatest (p = 0.005 for β-endorphin and p = 0.004 for oxytocin, U-test). There was no correlation with clinical or psychometric parameters (p > 0.05, Spearman test), but beta-endorphin levels did correlate significantly with physical aggression (p = 0.026, Spearman test). Conclusions: Serum levels of β-endorphin and oxytocin are lower in patients with AUD, particularly in those with depressive comorbidity. β-Endorphin levels correlated with physical aggression according to the Buss–Durkee (BDHI) estimates.

Terapi Murottal Meningkatkan Hormon Β -Endorfin dan Menurunkan Tekanan Darah Lansia

“…β-Endorfin merupakan salah satu peptida opioid yang muncul dari proopiomelanocortin dan menghasilkan hormon adrenocorticotropic, β-lipotropin dan βmelanocyte-stimulating hormon. Hal ini diidentifikasi dalam nukleus arkuata hipotalamus basal yang memainkan peran penting dalam homeostasis energi (Roschina et al, 2021). Bagian tubuh seperti otak memiliki peran utama dalam mengendalikan fisiologi metabolik, mengintegrasikan informasi dari metabolisme organ lain, mengirimkan proyeksi pengaturan dan mengatur fungsi seluruh tubuh (Liu et al, 2022).…”

Circuits regulating pleasure and happiness – focus on potential biomarkers for circuitry including the habenuloid complex

“…The same can be said about the role of receptors for μand κ-opioid peptides and cannabinoids (CB1), which, similar to substance P (Yang et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2018), also produce interesting effects via the dorsal diencephalic trajectory (Gardon et al, 2014;Boulos et al, 2020;Simmons et al, 2020;Vickstrom et al, 2021;Zapata & Lupica, 2021). We have recently obtained evidence that serum levels of β-endorphin, an endogenous μand δ-opioid receptor agonist (Terenius, 2000), are lower in patients with alcohol use disorder, particularly in those with depressive co-morbidity and correlate with physical aggression (Roschina et al, 2021). As some fibres from the arcuate nucleus, expressing the precursor protein of β-endorphin, pass through the stria medullaris to the medial habenula (Sim & Joseph, 1991) and the serum levels may express the activity of intracerebral release, it is tempting to speculate that this might have something to do with changes in μ-opioid receptors activation in the medial habenula.…”

Barriers and Breakthroughs in Targeting the Oxytocin System to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder

“…Recent studies also complicate the interpretation of previous studies showing that alcohol consumption decreases OXT levels ( 9 ). For instance, while one study showed significantly higher OXT levels in blood of patients with AUD ( 99 ), another study found significantly lower OXT levels in AUD patients ( 100 ). The reason for such opposite results needs to be further studied.…”