Changes in concentration of visfatin during four weeks of inpatient treatment of alcohol dependent males

Abstract

Introduction: Visfatin is a protein which belongs to the adiponectines, and exhibits insulinomimetic properties. A high concentration of visfatin may be directly related to an ongoing inflammatory process in the body. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the concentration of visfatin in relation to the intensity of alcohol craving and selected clinical characteristics in patients with alcohol dependency. Materials and methods: The thirty-seven males enrolled in the study had been hospitalised due to alcohol dependence in the addiction treatment unit. In the first week and after four weeks of treatment, clotted blood samples were obtained to determine the concentration of visfatin and other biochemical parameters. Next, patients were divided into two groups – group 1 with a decrease and group 2 with an increase in the concentration of visfatin during the four weeks of treatment. The study used a socio-demographic and clinical scale, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data questionnaire (SADD) and an analogue alcohol craving scale. Additionally, the study considered measurements of waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) and biochemical blood parameters. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in the concentration of visfatin (35.5 ng/ml vs 146 ng/ml) after four weeks of inpatient alcohol dependence treatment. Discussion: Perhaps different pathophysiological processes were taking place (including inflammatory response) in patients with high and low visfatin concentration in the initial stage of the trial. Conclusions: The dynamic of change in the concentration of visfatin during four weeks of abstinence is not associated with a reduction in craving for alcohol at the time and is associated with alcohol drinking and liver functioning.

Keywords

• Visfatin
• Alcohol dependence
• Alcohol craving