The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Medical Council on Alcohol.
Different effects of smoking or use of smokeless tobacco on platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects
1 From the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Göteborg University
2 Section of Experimental Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg University
3 Department of Psychology, Göteborg University, Sweden
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Psychology, Göteborg University, P. O. Box 500, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. Tel: 46-31-7734289; Fax: 46-31-7734628; E-mail: Claudia.Fahlke{at}psy.gu.se
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Abstract |
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Background: Low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B activity has been proposed as a marker for alcohol-dependence. Findings are, however, contradictory and the influence of confounding factors have been thoroughly investigated. Thus, it is now well established that cigarette smoking reduces platelet MAO-activity. However, not much is known about the influence of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuff or chewing tobacco, on platelet MAO-B activity. The aim of the present study was to compare platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant use of smokeless tobacco (i.e. snuff users), use of smoking tobacco (i.e. cigarette smokers), and in those without any tobacco use. Methods: Platelet MAO-B activity was examined in three groups of alcohol-dependent subjects: snuff users (n = 14), cigarette smokers (n = 33), and non-tobacco users (N = 46). Results: In the alcohol-dependent subjects concomitant cigarette smokers, but not snuff users, were found to have significantly lower platelet MAO-B activity as compared to non-tobacco users (platelet MAO-B activity 4.0 ± 1.5, 5.1 ± 1.5 and 5.0 ± 1.9 µkat/kg protein, respectively). Conclusions: The findings in the present study suggests that in the alcohol-dependent subjects the concomitant use of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuffing, does not have an inhibitory effect on platelet MAO-B activity. This may have implications for future research. Thus, alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant tobacco use should be grouped separately according to the form of the tobacco used, i.e. smoking or smokeless tobacco.