Oxidative stress and an altered methionine metabolism in alcoholism

1999 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.

Jump to:Cite & Linked | Documents & Media | Details | Version history

Cite this publication

​Oxidative stress and an altered methionine metabolism in alcoholism​
Bleich, S. ; Spilker, K. ; Kurth, C. ; Degner, D. ; Quintela-Schneider, M. ; Javaheripour, K.   & Rüther, E.  et al.​ (1999) 
Neuroscience Letters293(3) pp. 171​-174​.​ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3940(00)01505-6 

Documents & Media

License

GRO License GRO License

Details

Authors
Bleich, S. ; Spilker, K. ; Kurth, C. ; Degner, D. ; Quintela-Schneider, M. ; Javaheripour, K. ; Rüther, E. ; Kornhuber, J. ; Wiltfang, J. G. 
Abstract
The exact mechanism of brain atrophy in patients with chronic alcoholism remains unknown. There is growing evidence that chronic alcoholism is associated with oxidative stress and with a derangement in sulphur amino acid metabolism (e.g. ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia). Furthermore, it has been reported that homocysteine induces neuronal cell death by stimulating N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors as well as by producing free radicals. To further evaluate this latter hypothesis we analysed serum levels of both homocysteine and markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) in alcoholic patients who underwent withdrawal from alcohol. Homocysteine and malondialdehyde were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serum samples of 35 patients (active drinkers). There was a significant correlation (P<0.01) between blood alcohol concentration and elevated homocysteine (Spearman's r=0.71) and malondialdehyde (r=0.90) levels on admission. In addition, homocysteine and malondialdehyde levels were found to be significant decreased after 3 days of withdrawal treatment (Wilcoxon test: homocysteine, Z=−5.127; malondialdehyde, Z=−3.120; P<0.01). We postulate that excitatory neurotransmitters and mechanisms of oxidative stress in patients with chronic alcoholism may partly mediate excitotoxic neuronal damage and hereby cause brain shrinkage.
Issue Date
1999
Journal
Neuroscience Letters 
ISSN
0304-3940
Language
English

Reference

Citations


Social Media