Influence of the 393T>C Polymorphism of the GNAS1 Gene on the Intensity of Opiate Withdrawal

Abstract

There are high interindividual differences regarding the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. in opiate addicts. This study was carried out in order to test whether the intensity of withdrawal is influenced by the 393T>C polymorphism of the GNASI gene. Only patients addicted exclusively to opiates were included. Thirty-three out of 39 patients undergoing inpatient detoxification treatment achieved a drug-free state. During the most intense period of withdrawal (stop of methadone and following days) TT homozygotes (n=4) had a significantly higher pulse rate (primary outcome criterion) than C-allele carriers (n=29). This study and a previous study about GNB3 825C> T underline the possible role of G-protein polymorphisms in the interindividual variability of opiate withdrawal.

Key words

opiate withdrawal - G-protein - 393T>C polymorphism - clonidine - sympathetic activity

References

• 1 Bachmann HS, Hanenkamp S, Kornacki B. et al . Gender-dependent association of the GNAS1 T393C polymorphism with early aseptic loosening after total hip arthroplasty.  J Orthop Res. 2008;  26 1562-1568
• 2 Eschenhagen T. G proteins and the heart.  Cell Biol Int. 1993;  17 723-749
• 3 Frey UH, Eisenhardt A, Lümmen G. et al . The T393C polymorphism of the G alpha s gene (GNAS1) is a novel prognostic marker in bladder cancer.  Cancer Epidem Biomar. 2005;  14 871-877
• 4 Gold MS, Redmond DE, Kleber HD. Clonidine blocks acute opiate-withdrawal symptoms.  Lancet. 1978;  16 599-602
• 5 Gossop M. The development of a short opiate withdrawal scale (SOWS).  Addictive Behaviors. 1990;  15 487-490
• 6 Jia H, Hingorani AD, Sharma P. et al . Association of the G(s)alpha gene with essential hypertension and response to beta-blockade.  Hypertension. 1999;  34 8-14
• 7 Lahiri MK, Kannankeril PJ, Goldberger JJ. Assessment of autonomic function in cardiovascular disease: physiological basis and prognostic implications.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;  51 1725-1733
• 8 Lieb B, Bonnet U, Specka M. et al . Intensity of opiate withdrawal in relation to the 825C>T-polymorphism of the G protein beta 3 subunit gene.  Progr. Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2009;  33 663-667
• 9 Mao YM, Liu ZQ, Chen BL. et al . Effect of 393T>C polymorphism of GNAS1 gene on dobutamine response in Chinese healthy subjects.  J Clin Pharmacol. 2009;  49 929-936
• 10 Reymann G, Gastpar M. Opioidbezogene Störungen – Akutbehandlung [Opioid-related disorders – acute treatment].. In: Schmidt LG, Gastpar M, Falkai P, Gaebel W editors. Evidenzbasierte Medizin – Behandlungsleitlinie Substanzbezogene Störungen [Evidence-based medicine – Treatment guideline drug-related disorders]. Köln: Deutscher Ärzte Verlag; 2006: 171-193
• 11 Scherbaum N, Heppekausen K, Rist F. Sind Abbrüche im methadongestützten Opiatentzug bedingt durch Entzugssymptomatik oder Suchtmittelverlangen? [Is premature termination of opiate detoxification due to intensive withdrawal or craving?].  Fortschr Neurol Psyc. 2004;  72 14-20

Correspondence