Introduction

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide produced mainly in gastric mucosa that may increase food hunger and likely psychoactive substance, including alcohol, craving. The aim of the study was to estimate blood ghrelin concentration in alcohol-dependent patients (ADP) treated in addiction inpatient centres.

Material and methods

Blood ghrelin concentration was examined twice in 67 alcoholics at the beginning of the study and after four weeks of alcohol abstinence, and in 61 social drinkers (control group) at the beginning of the study. Clinical, biochemical and anthropometric parameters of nutritional status were determined in all the study participants.

Results

At the beginning of the study, ghrelin blood concentration was significantly lower in the studied persons than those from the control group. The ghrelin concentration in alcohol-dependent patients during four-week therapy increased. The independently to changes of ghrelin concentration alcohol craving did not increase and hunger remained stable. These changes of ghrelin were accompanied by an increase in body mass index (BMI) and mid muscle circumference as state of protein nutrition.

Discussion

Further studies are needed to explain the clinical importance of the reverse relationships between blood ghrelin concentration and nutritional status in alcohol-dependent patients.

Conclusions

The concentration of endogenus ghrelin in blood probably does not seem to be associated with alcohol craving but only with the intensity of drinking and alcohol-dependent patients’ nutritional status.