Oxidative stress enzyme status and frequency of micronuclei in heroin addicts in Turkey

Abstract

Heroin is among the most widely used and dangerous addictive opiate. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that more than 15 million people are under the influence of opiate addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in addicts using heroin, the most commonly abused opiate in Turkey. Addicts were defined as individuals diagnosed according to "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV)" criteria by the "Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Centre-Ankara (AMATEM)". The control group had no addiction. In comparisons between the groups, a significant decrease in Cu,Zn-SOD activity and increases in MDA levels and MN frequency were observed in addicts. It can be concluded that opiates may cause oxidative stress and that antioxidant supplementation, in addition to pharmacological and psychiatric approaches, can reduce the toxicological effects of these opiates.

Study of Oxidants and Antioxidants in Addicts

“…According to the world health organization (WHO), more than 15 million people are addicted to opiate (1). Opium (known as Taryak in Farsi) contains more than 40 types of alkaloids, such as morphine, codeine and thebaine, and over 70 other components including sugars and organic acids.…”

Expression levels of PDYN and OPRM1 genes in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic field

“…30,31 Furthermore, drug abusers are at oxidative stress. 32,33 Interestingly, the mRNA expression levels of several anti-oxidant genes significantly decreased in SH-SY5Y cells treated with morphine. 34 It has been reported that oxidative stress plays an important role in drug dependency.…”

Association between null alleles of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and dependence to heroin and opium

“…Previous studies indicated that heroin and opium dependent persons are under oxidative stress conditions (Ghazavi et al, 2013;Soykut et al, 2013). We know that oxidative stress may occur due to increase in the generation of free radicals or in reduction in the level of antioxidant enzymes.…”

“…Opiates may cause oxidative stress in drug dependent persons (Ghazavi et al, 2013;Soykut et al, 2013). Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play an important role in cellular detoxification of xenobiotics.…”