Platelet-To-Lymphocyte and Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratios Predict Intestinal Injury in Male Heroin Addicts

Abstract

Objective. To explore the potential link between gut damage and proinflammatory cytokines in heroin-dependent patients. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed and compared partial blood counts and biomarkers of intestinal injury and their potential correlations in 38 male heroin abuse patients and 29 healthy male participants. In addition, we compared and assessed proinflammatory cytokines and immune cells in 10 heroin abuse patients and 10 healthy participants. Results. Neutrophil counts, platelets/lymphocytes (PLR), neutrophils/lymphocytes (NLR), gut injury biomarkers, and proinflammatory cytokines, CD19+B in patients compared with healthy subjects’ cells increased significantly. The number of lymphocytes, CD3 CD4 T cells, and CD3 CD8 T cells decreased in patients compared to healthy individuals. When distinguishing between heroin addicts and healthy people, ROC/AUC analysis showed that a cutoff of 142.42 for PLR and 2.18 for NLR yielded a sensitivity of 65% and 85% and a specificity of 96.5% and 89.7%, respectively ( p = 0.001 , p < 0.001 ). For predicting intestinal injury, ROC/AUC analysis showed that a cutoff of 135.7 for PLR and 0.15 for NLR yielded a sensitivity of 52% and 60% and a specificity of 82% and 86.4%, respectively ( p = 0.003 , p = 0.009 ). Male heroin addicts are subject to intestinal injury and present with increased proinflammatory cytokine levels. Conclusion. NLR and PLR are possible indirect biomarkers for heroin dependence based on intestinal injury.

Retracted: Platelet‐To‐Lymphocyte and Neutrophil‐To‐Lymphocyte Ratios Predict Intestinal Injury in Male Heroin Addicts

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process: Discrepancies in scope Discrepancies in the description of the research reported Discrepancies between the availability of data and the research described Inappropriate citations Incoherent, meaningless and/or irrelevant content included in the article Peer-review manipulation …”

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of one or more of the following indicators of systematic manipulation of the publication process:…”