OPRM1 A118G and serum β-endorphin interact with sex and digit ratio (2D:4D) to influence risk and course of alcohol dependence

Abstract

Activation of mesolimbic mu-opioid receptors by their endogenous ligand, β-endorphin, can mediate the rewarding effects of alcohol. However, there is conflicting evidence on the relationship between the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and alcohol dependence risk. Preclinical evidence suggests that sex and sex hormone-dependent prenatal brain organization may interact with the opioid system to influence alcohol drinking behavior. We genotyped 200 alcohol-dependent patients and 240 healthy individuals for the OPRM1 A118G SNP and measured serum β-endorphin level at recruitment and after acute withdrawal. We then determined the association between these factors and alcohol dependence risk and 24-month outcome in the context of both sex and second-to-fourth digit lengths ratio (2D:4D) – a biomarker of prenatal sex hormone levels. The OPRM1 A118G AA genotype associated with elevated risk of alcohol-related hospital readmission, more readmissions, and fewer days until first readmission in male patients only. After normalizing patient 2D:4D against control 2D:4D, we found that normalized 2D:4D ratios were lower in male 118G patients than male AA patients, suggesting prenatal androgens interact with OPRM1 to influence alcohol dependence risk. In addition, β-endorphin levels after acute withdrawal correlated negatively with withdrawal severity in females but not in males, which may indicate β-endorphin protects against withdrawal-induced stress in a sex-specific manner.