RATIONALE: Nicotine administration alters neuroactive steroids in rodent models, and serum levels of the neuroactive steroid DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) appear to be higher in smokers. These molecules may be relevant to tobacco addiction and affective symptoms. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate DHEAS, allopregnanolone, pregnenolone, and other steroids in male smokers to determine potential associations with nicotine dependence severity and negative affect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allopregnanolone and pregnenolone serum levels were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, while DHEAS and other steroid levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 28 male smokers. Correlational analyses were performed to determine potential associations with rating measures, including the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the addiction subscale of the Ikard Smoking Motivation Questionnaire (ISMQ), the craving item on the Reasons to Smoke (RTS) Questionnaire, and the negative affect and craving subscales of the Shiffman-Jarvik Withdrawal Questionnaire. RESULTS: DHEAS levels were inversely correlated with the negative affect subscale of the Shiffman-Jarvik Withdrawal Questionnaire (r=-0.60, p=0.002) and the RTS craving item (r=-0.43, p=0.03), and tended to be inversely correlated with the FTND scores (r=-0.38, p=0.067) and the ISMQ addiction subscale (r=-0.38, p=0.059), adjusting for age. Allopregnanolone levels were positively correlated with cotinine levels (r=0.57, p=0.006); pregnenolone levels tended to be positively correlated with cotinine levels (r=0.40, p=0.066). CONCLUSIONS: DHEAS levels were inversely correlated with negative affect and craving measures, and may predict nicotine dependence severity. Allopregnanolone levels were positively correlated with cotinine levels, suggesting that this neuroactive steroid may be upregulated in smokers. Neuroactive steroids may represent novel smoking cessation agents.
RATIONALE: Nicotine administration alters neuroactive steroids in rodent models, and serum levels of the neuroactive steroidDHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) appear to be higher in smokers. These molecules may be relevant to tobacco addiction and affective symptoms. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate DHEAS, allopregnanolone, pregnenolone, and other steroids in male smokers to determine potential associations with nicotine dependence severity and negative affect. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Allopregnanolone and pregnenolone serum levels were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, while DHEAS and other steroid levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 28 male smokers. Correlational analyses were performed to determine potential associations with rating measures, including the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the addiction subscale of the Ikard Smoking Motivation Questionnaire (ISMQ), the craving item on the Reasons to Smoke (RTS) Questionnaire, and the negative affect and craving subscales of the Shiffman-Jarvik Withdrawal Questionnaire. RESULTS:DHEAS levels were inversely correlated with the negative affect subscale of the Shiffman-Jarvik Withdrawal Questionnaire (r=-0.60, p=0.002) and the RTS craving item (r=-0.43, p=0.03), and tended to be inversely correlated with the FTND scores (r=-0.38, p=0.067) and the ISMQ addiction subscale (r=-0.38, p=0.059), adjusting for age. Allopregnanolone levels were positively correlated with cotinine levels (r=0.57, p=0.006); pregnenolone levels tended to be positively correlated with cotinine levels (r=0.40, p=0.066). CONCLUSIONS:DHEAS levels were inversely correlated with negative affect and craving measures, and may predict nicotine dependence severity. Allopregnanolone levels were positively correlated with cotinine levels, suggesting that this neuroactive steroid may be upregulated in smokers. Neuroactive steroids may represent novel smoking cessation agents.
Authors: O M Wolkowitz; V I Reus; A Keebler; N Nelson; M Friedland; L Brizendine; E Roberts Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1999-04 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Peter J Schmidt; Robert C Daly; Miki Bloch; Mark J Smith; Merry A Danaceau; Linda Simpson St Clair; Jean H Murphy; Nazli Haq; David R Rubinow Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2005-02
Authors: Rael D Strous; Rachel Maayan; Raya Lapidus; Rafael Stryjer; Michal Lustig; Moshe Kotler; Abraham Weizman Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2003-02
Authors: Kelly P Cosgrove; Irina Esterlis; Graeme F Mason; Frederic Bois; Stephanie S O'Malley; John H Krystal Journal: Neuropharmacology Date: 2011-01-27 Impact factor: 5.250
Authors: Jason D Kilts; Larry A Tupler; Francis J Keefe; Victoria M Payne; Robert M Hamer; Jennifer C Naylor; Rohana P Calnaido; Rajendra A Morey; Jennifer L Strauss; Gillian Parke; Mark W Massing; Nagy A Youssef; Lawrence J Shampine; Christine E Marx Journal: Pain Med Date: 2010-08-23 Impact factor: 3.750
Authors: Jennifer C Naylor; Christine M Hulette; David C Steffens; Lawrence J Shampine; John F Ervin; Victoria M Payne; Mark W Massing; Jason D Kilts; Jennifer L Strauss; Patrick S Calhoun; Rohana P Calnaido; Daniel G Blazer; Jeffrey A Lieberman; Roger D Madison; Christine E Marx Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2008-05-13 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Patrizia Porcu; Todd K O'Buckley; Sarah E Alward; Soomin C Song; Kathleen A Grant; Harriet de Wit; A Leslie Morrow Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2009-12-17 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Jennifer C Naylor; Jason D Kilts; Christine M Hulette; David C Steffens; Dan G Blazer; John F Ervin; Jennifer L Strauss; Trina B Allen; Mark W Massing; Victoria M Payne; Nagy A Youssef; Lawrence J Shampine; Christine E Marx Journal: Biochim Biophys Acta Date: 2010-05-19