Level of autoantibodies to opiate receptors in blood of patients with opiate addiction

The level of autoantibodies to opiate receptors was measured in serum of heroin addicts in withdrawal and in the period of long-term abstinence and in healthy volunteers as well. The level of autoantibodies was assessed with ELISA with synthetic peptide specific for subregions of mu and delta opiate receptors. The scores of the level of autoantibodies higher than 150% of the level noted in healthy volunteers was observed in 56% of heroin addicts. The dependence of autoantibodies level from duration of diseases was shown. Elevated level of opiate receptors autoantibodies were detected in the sera of 71% patients with opiate addiction who had been using heroin more then one year. High levels of opiate receptors autoantibodies were observed more frequently in patients with opiate withdrawal syndrome then in patients with long-term remission. Elevated level autoantibodies to opiate receptors were determined in the blood of 38% opiate abusers with remission for 3-8 months. The level of autoantibodies to opiate receptors may be used for diagnostics of heroin dependence and control of treatment efficiency.