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Serum 6-Beta-Naltrexol Levels Are Related to Alcohol Responses in Heavy Drinkers.
- Source :
-
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research . 2000, Vol. 24 Issue 9, p1385-1391. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2000
-
Abstract
- Background: There is strong evidence for the role of the endogenous opioid system in alcohol reinforcement and consumption; however, recent human laboratory studies and clinical trials have reported mixed effects of naltrexone (a nonselective opioid antagonist) on alcohol-related behaviors. This paper reports a secondary data analysis of a human laboratory study that examines the relationship between serum levels of 6-beta-naltrexol, the major, biologically active metabolite of naltrexone, and subjective effects of alcohol. Methods: The study used a within-subjects design to examine the effects of naltrexone (0, 50, and 100 mg/day) on subjective responses to alcohol (none, moderate, and high dose) in heavy drinkers ( n= 23). Each subject received three doses of naltrexone in random order; each naltrexone dose was administered over an 8 day period on an inpatient unit, with a 1 week outpatient washout between doses. After stabilization at each of the naltrexone doses, subjects participated in three alcohol challenge sessions (none, moderate, and high dose) in random order; thus, each subject participated in a total of nine alcohol administration sessions. Results: Doubling the naltrexone dose (50 vs. 100 mg/day) doubled the mean serum 6-beta-naltrexol levels. At each naltrexone dose, there was a 4-fold range in 6-beta-naltrexol levels across subjects. Before alcohol administration, higher 6-beta-naltrexol levels were associated with higher ratings of sedation. After high-dose alcohol administration, higher 6-beta-naltrexol levels were associated with significantly lower ratings of liking and best effects. Conclusions: These findings provide further evidence of the involvement of the opioid system in the modulation of alcohol effects and suggest that serum 6-beta-naltrexol concentrations may be important in predicting therapeutic response to naltrexone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 91183840
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02107.x