Plasma Homocysteine Level, Liver Function, Drinking Frequency, and Craving in Male Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Background ： A few clinical studies have reported an increase in plasma homocysteine levels of patients with acute alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study evaluated the relationship between plasma homocysteine level, liver function, and variables associated with alcohol use, craving and withdrawal symptoms in male patients with AUD. Methods ： Plasma homocysteine level, liver function, and variables associated with alcohol use were measured in 50 male normal controls and 154 male inpatients with AUD on the day of admission and after two-week treatment. The severity of craving and withdrawal symptoms was evaluated in patients. Results ： The baseline plasma homocysteine levels in AUD patients were significantly higher than in normal controls. Plasma homocysteine levels in AUD were significantly decreased after the two-week treatment. Subjects without hyperhomocysteinemia showed significantly positive correlation between plasma homocysteine and drinking frequency. However, those with hyperhomocysteinemia showed a significantly positive correlation between homocysteine and total bilirubin levels. There were significant differences in drinking frequency or craving severity between AUD patients with and without hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusion : This study suggests that chronic alcohol use increased plasma homocyste-ine levels, and the increased homocysteine was normalized after abstinence. Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with drinking frequency or altered liver function.