transforming-growth-factor-beta and Opioid-Related-Disorders

This investigation was designed to determine the effect of melatonin supplementation on mental health parameters, metabolic and genetic profiles in patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted among 54 patients under MMT. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 10 mg melatonin (2 melatonin capsules, 5 mg each) (n = 26) or placebo (n = 28) once a day, 1 hour before bedtime for 12 weeks. Melatonin supplementation significantly decreased Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (β -4.08; 95 percent CI, -5.51, -2.65; P < 0.001), Beck Depression Inventory index (β -5.46; 95% CI, -8.92, -2.00; P = 0.003) and Beck Anxiety Inventory index (β -3.87; 95% CI, -5.96, -1.77; P = 0.001) and significantly increased International Index of Erectile Functions (β 5.59; 95% CI, 1.76, 9.42; P = 0.005) compared with the placebo. Subjects who received melatonin supplements had significantly lower serum insulin levels (β -2.53; 95% CI, -4.48, -0.59; P = 0.01), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β -0.56; 95% CI, -1.03, -0.09; P = 0.01) and higher quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β 0.01; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.02; P = 0.009) and HDL-cholesterol levels (β 3.71; 95% CI, 1.77, 5.64; P = 0.002) compared to placebo. Additionally, melatonin intake resulted in a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (β -0.15; 95% CI, -0.27, -0.02; P = 0.02), malondialdehyde (β -0.31; 95% CI, -0.57, -0.05; P = 0.02) and protein carbonyl (β -0.06; 95% CI, -0.09, -0.04; P < 0.001). This trial indicated that taking melatonin supplements for 12 weeks by patients under MMT had beneficial effects on their mental health metabolic profiles.

Topics: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid; Antioxidants; Anxiety; Blood Glucose; C-Reactive Protein; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Cholesterol, VLDL; Depression; Double-Blind Method; Gene Expression; Glutathione; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Interleukin-1; Male; Malondialdehyde; Melatonin; Mental Health; Methadone; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders; Penile Erection; PPAR gamma; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Sleep; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Triglycerides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Low-dose memantine might have anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects mechanistically remote from an NMDA receptor. We investigated whether add-on memantine reduced cytokine levels and benefitted patients with opioid dependence undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in a randomized, double-blind, controlled 12-week study. Patients were randomly assigned to a group: Memantine (5 mg/day) (n = 53) or Placebo (n = 75). The methadone dose required and retention in treatment were monitored. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were examined during weeks 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12. General linear mixed models were used to examine therapeutic effect. After 12 weeks, Memantine-group required a somewhat lower methadone dose than did Placebo-group (P = 0.039). They also had significantly lower plasma TNF-α and significantly higher TGF-β1 levels. We provide evidence of the benefit of add-on memantine in opioid dependent patients undergoing MMT.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C-Reactive Protein; Dopamine Agents; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Memantine; Methadone; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders; Placebos; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Several cells of immune system such as regulatory T cells and macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in response to different stimuli. This cytokine has inhibitory effect on immune system and diminished production of this cytokine is associated with autoimmune disorders.. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of opium addiction on serum level of TGF-β in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats.. This experimental study was performed on normal, opium addicted, diabetic and addicted-diabetic male and female rats. Serum level of TGF-β was measured by ELISA.. The results of our study indicated that the mean serum level of TGF-β in female addicted rats was significantly increased compared to control group (p<0.004). Conversely, in male addicted rats the mean serum level of TGF-β was lower compared with control (p<0.065).. Our results suggest that opium and its derivatives have differential inductive effects on the cytokine expression in male and female rats.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Female; Male; Narcotics; Opioid-Related Disorders; Opium; Rats; Transforming Growth Factor beta