Involvement of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in protracted alcohol withdrawal

OBJECTIVE: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to inhibit the effects of corticotrophin releasing hormone, corticotrophin and cortisol, and to influence affective and anxiety symptoms in man. We tested the hypothesis of whether ANP is associated with endocrine and psychopathological disturbances during acute alcohol withdrawal. METHOD: ANP and cortisol plasma concentrations were studied in alcoholics during in-patient detoxification and in healthy controls. Additionally, craving, depressive mood and anxiety were assessed. RESULTS: Although mean ANP levels increased significantly in alcoholics between days 1 and 14, they remained diminished compared to controls. Separating a subgroup of alcoholics with a decrease of ANP levels during withdrawal, these individuals revealed significantly elevated scores for mean and maximum craving and a trend to an elevated self-rated anxiety on day 14. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a dysregulation of ANP plasma levels during alcohol withdrawal may contribute to symptoms of protracted withdrawal such as craving and anxiety.