Aims: In recent years, various studies were able to show a link between serum levels of appetite-regulating peptides and alcoholism. The adipocytokines, adiponectin and resistin seem to be altered during withdrawal. We recently showed that a trinucleotide polymorphism within the coding region of the androgen receptor (AR) is linked to craving in alcohol withdrawal, an effect that was mostly mediated by leptin. The aim of the present preliminary retrospective study was to further elucidate whether adiponectin and resistin serum levels are regulated by this AR polymorphism as well.
Methods: We included 50 male in-patients who were admitted for detoxification treatment. Each had a diagnosis of alcohol dependence (DSM-IV).
Results: Our analyses revealed that adiponectin serum levels significantly decreased, whereas resistin levels slightly increased between the day of admission and Day 7. Beyond that, we were not able to demonstrate significant associations between the investigated CAG polymorphism of the AR and adiponectin, resistin or leptin-corrected adipocytokines, either on the day of admission or on Day 7. Moreover, the polymorphism did not influence the time response of adiponectin and resistin during withdrawal.
Conclusions: Genetic determinants of the AR influence alcohol withdrawal. Anyway, this preliminary retrospective analysis does not support the hypothesis that the investigated AR polymorphism has a major modifying effect on adiponectin or resistin serum levels in patients with alcoholism.