Researchers already know that alcohol dependence affects men and women differently, necessitating the development of tailored treatments. A recent study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying these sex differences, suggesting that hormonal and biochemical factors play a crucial role in shaping patterns of alcohol use and dependence.
“This is the first large study to demonstrate that some variations in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related problems are associated with specific combinations of hormonal and chemical biomarkers in men and women. This may mean that gender-specific treatments can help maintain Victor Karpyak said in a report: Press release.
Researchers analyzed hormonal and protein markers in 268 men and 132 women with alcohol use disorder at the beginning of the study, before participants received any treatment. They tested a variety of sex-specific blood markers, including sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, as well as proteins that influence reproductive health, such as follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
They also measured proteins that affect the availability of hormones in the blood, such as albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin. After the assessment, the researchers linked the biomarkers to psychological factors, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, cravings, alcohol use and treatment outcomes in the first three months of treatment.
At the beginning of the study, the researchers noted that men with alcohol use disorder experienced more depressive symptoms and stronger cravings for alcohol, had lower levels of the hormones testosterone, estrone, and estradiol, and a Lower levels of a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). However, this association between hormones and psychological symptoms was not found in women with alcohol use disorders.
“We found different associations between men and women. For example, women with lower levels of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and albumin had lower levels of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and albumin than women with higher levels of Relapse is more likely within the first three months of treatment.
Experts say the findings provide important insights into the relationship between sex hormones and alcohol use disorder treatment.
“While sex differences in the way the disease manifests are known, these results suggest that sex hormones may modulate treatment response, potentially supporting sex-specific pharmacological interventions. However, hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle are also potential moderators of alcohol abuse. factors, said Dr. Erika Comasco, associate professor of molecular psychiatry at Uppsala University in Sweden, who was not involved in the study. “It is worth further investigating their role in treatment and relapse outcomes in female patients.” “