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. 2022 Nov 23;14(23):4978.
doi: 10.3390/nu14234978.

HPA-Axis Activity and Nutritional Status Correlation in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Kalliopi Georgakouli  1 , Eirini Manthou  2 , Ioannis G Fatouros  2 , Chariklia K Deli  2 , Yiannis Koutedakis  2 , Yannis Theodorakis  2 , Athanasios Z Jamurtas  2
Affiliations

HPA-Axis Activity and Nutritional Status Correlation in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Kalliopi Georgakouli et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Impaired activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) is evident in alcohol use disorder (AUD), and may be implicated in various nutritional and metabolic alterations often seen in individuals with this disorder. The present study examined a possible correlation between HPA-axis activity and nutritional status components in individuals with AUD. Fourteen AUD and fourteen non-AUD males participated; anthropometric and body composition measurements were made, and fasting blood samples were analysed for plasma adrenal corticotropic hormone (ACTH), catecholamines, cortisol and beta-endorphin. Nutrient intake was estimated via a three-day diet record. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were increased in the AUD group. Thiamine and folic intake were lower in AUD group, although only folic acid intake was insufficient in both AUD and non-AUD groups. Increased epinephrine and norepinephrine were also observed in AUD group compared to non-AUD group. No clear correlation between HPA-axis activity and nutritional status components was found. This study showed that nutrient intake, body composition, and HPA-axis activity were different among AUD and non-AUD individuals. More research on the correlation between nutritional status and HPA-axis activity in AUD individuals should be conducted.

Keywords: alcohol; body composition; brain; fat; hormone; metabolism; nutrient.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation between plasma epinephrine concentrations and daily magnesium intake in AUD group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between plasma epinephrine concentrations and daily caffeine intake in AUD group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation between plasma epinephrine concentrations and daily vitamin B12 intake in non-AUD group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between plasma cortisol concentrations and daily vitamin E intake in non-AUD group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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