Structural chromatin alterations in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcohol-dependent individuals during detoxification therapy.

In Vivo

Research Unit of Histochemistry and Electron Microscopy, First Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece Neurobiology Research Institute, Theodor Theohari Cozzika Foundation, Athens, Greece.

Published: February 2015

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study aimed to explore chromatin condensation in the blood cells of alcoholics during early detoxification, focusing on potential epigenetic changes linked to alcohol use.
  • Blood samples were analyzed from both alcoholics undergoing detox and healthy individuals, using specific staining techniques to assess chromatin structure.
  • The findings showed that alcoholics had more relaxed chromatin in their lymphocytes and neutrophils, suggesting heightened genomic reactivity even in the detox phase, and highlighted leukocyte chromatin structure as a valuable marker for epigenetic research in chronic alcoholics.

Article Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the state of chromatin condensation in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcoholics, during the early detoxification period, in order to highlight structural modifications, indicating epigenetic mechanisms regulated by alcohol.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were obtained from alcoholic patients, who were admitted for detoxification on an inpatient basis, and from healthy controls. The level of condensed heterochromatin and de-condensed euchromatin were detected through the ratio of lysine to arginine residues, by the application of the ammoniacal silver reaction (ASR) staining on leukocyte pellets, and through immunohistochemical localization of histone H1 on peripheral blood smears.

Results: Lymphocytes and neutrophils with relaxed de-condensed chromatin were found, indicating a more reactive genome in alcoholics, even at the stage of detoxification.

Conclusion: The results underline the importance of chromatin structure of leukocytes as a sensitive, peripheral, biological marker for epigenetic studies in living chronic alcoholics.

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