Author/Editor		Rojc, Bojan
Title		Imunski sistem in sindrom odvisnosti od alkohola
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Univerza v Ljubljani, Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 62
Language		slo
Abstract		Background. Alcoholism complexly harms human organism. Heavy drinking for an extended period of time causes many toxic injuries to the organs, and at the same time it afflicts the psyche and the social environment. In the past years many studies have proved the existence of connections between the nervous, endocrine and immune system influencing each other. In the case of alcoholism is proved that it afflicts all three systems. Abstinence from ethanol causes a hypodopaminergic and a hypoopioidergic environment in the reword system circuits, manifesting with withdrawal symptoms. At the same time HPA axis is stimulated via CRF released from the extended amygdala, causing a stress response. In some studies it has been shown, that the use of food supplements that contains D-phenylalanine a peptidase inhibitor and L-amino-acids helping replenish a lack in neurotransmitters can alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. There is a relative lack in studies concerning the dynamic of changes of immune, nervous and endocrine parameters in the period of abstinence. Aims. Our first aim is to monitor changes of psychological symptoms, lyphocyte populations and liver function and their relations. The second aim is to define the efect of a food supplement that contains D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan in the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms. Hypothesis. We hypothesized that the use of a food supplement containing D-phenylalanine, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan has a marked influence on withdrawal symptoms, also it decreases the stress level and increase the endogen opioid level influncing the rise of lymphocyte CD4 population. Methods. 20 patients suffering from alcohol addictions starting a detoxification therapy have been included in a prospective, randomized, double blind study. The patients have been randomly devided in two groups. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		ALCOHOLISM NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT SUBSTANCE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS HYDROCORTISONE HOSPITALIZATION BILIRUBIN T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE GAMMA-GLUTAMYLTRANSFERASE