Quantification of proopiomelanocortin mRNA in peripheral lymphocytes of alcoholics

摘要: Recent studies indicate the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by human mononuclear leucocytes constitutively or in response to hypothalamic factors and interferon inducers. These results have led proposal that control mechanisms for proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene lymphocytes may be similar pituitary cells. After chronic ethanol treatment, changes POMC mRNA rats been reported, but so far nothing is known about expression under these conditions. Therefore, was investigated peripheral both volunteers alcoholics. levels cells were significantly increased alcoholics, with one alcoholic showing an even more than five times higher level compared other patients. detoxification, a significant decrease patients observed, except extremely elevated level, where opposite occurred. An influence ingestion on could assumed. The observed seem correlated intake, because amounts found alcoholics after admission hospital already declining detoxification period.