Total Nitric Oxide and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Alcohol-dependent Individuals During Detoxification Therapy

BACKGROUND: The alterations of total nitric oxide (NO) (through total nitrite/nitrate) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) concentrations were determined in a population of alcohol-dependent individuals without liver disease upon admission for detoxification, two weeks later and after completion of detoxification (4-6 weeks in total). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight men and nine women were included in the study. Endogenous nitrite and total nitrite/nitrate concentrations were measured colorimetrically and iNOS concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Endogenous and total nitrite concentrations were found to be diagnostically equally conclusive, whereas iNOS values were not correlated with the other two parameters. All three parameters were significantly higher in alcohol-dependent individuals compared to controls at all time points. CONCLUSION: The preventive therapeutic use of iNOS inhibitors in alcohol-dependent individuals might avoid the injurious effects of chronic alcohol abuse, and should be a matter of further investigation.