High Alcohol Drinking Research Articles

Effect of voluntary alcohol consumption on Maoa expression in the mesocorticolimbic brain of adult male rats previously exposed to prolonged maternal separation.

Discordant associations between monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype and high alcohol drinking have been reported in human and non-human primates. Environmental influences likely moderate genetic susceptibility. The biological basis for this interplay remains elusive, and inconsistencies call for translational studies in which conditions can be controlled and brain tissue is accessible. The present study investigated whether early life stress and subsequent adult episodic alcohol consumption affect Maoa expression in stress- and reward-related brain regions in the rat. Outbred Wistar rats were exposed to rearing conditions associated with stress (prolonged maternal separation) or no stress during early life, and given free choice between alcohol and/or water in adulthood. Transcript levels of Maoa were assessed in the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, amygdala and dorsal striatum (DS). Blood was collected to assess corticosterone levels. After alcohol consumption, lower blood corticosterone and Maoa expression in the NAc and DS were found in rats exposed to early life stress compared with control rats. An interaction between early life stress and voluntary alcohol intake was found in the NAc. Alcohol intake before death correlated negatively with Maoa expression in DS in high alcohol-drinking rats exposed to early life stress. Maoa expression is sensitive to adulthood voluntary alcohol consumption in the presence of early life stress in outbred rats. These findings add knowledge of the molecular basis of the previously reported associations between early life stress, MAOA and susceptibility to alcohol misuse.

Serum level of LOX-1 ligand containing ApoB is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness in Japanese community-dwelling men, especially those with hypercholesterolemiaLOX-1 ligand and IMT in Japanese

The serum level of LOX-1 ligand containing ApoB (LAB) may reflect atherogenicity better than usual lipid parameters; however, the relationship between LAB and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was not clear even in Asian populations. A total of 992 community-dwelling Japanese men, aged 40 to 79 years, were enrolled in the present study. Serum LAB levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with recombinant LOX-1 and monoclonal anti-apolipoprotein B antibody. Serum LAB levels (median [interquartile range], μg cs/L) were 5341 μg cs/L (4093-7125). The mean average IMT of the common carotid artery was highest in the fourth LAB quartile (842 μm) compared with the first quartile (797 μm) after adjustment for age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, smoking, and alcohol drinking. However, this statistically significant difference was lost after further adjustment for total cholesterol (TC). After stratification using the combination of median LAB and hypercholesterolemia (serum TC ≥ 6.21 mmol/L and/or lipid-lowering medication), the adjusted mean average IMT (standard error) in the high LAB/hypercholesterolemia group was 886 μm (12.7), 856 μm (16.7) in the low LAB/hypercholesterolemia group, and 833 μm (8.4) in the low LAB/normal cholesterol group (P = .004). After further adjustment for TC, mean average IMT in the high LAB group was significantly higher than that measured in the low LAB group in hypercholesterolemic participants not taking lipid-lowering medication. Serum LAB was associated with an increased carotid IMT in Japanese men, especially those with hypercholesterolemia.

P-45THE CAUDAL LINEAR NUCLEUS REGULATES ALCOHOL DRINKING IN THE ALCOHOL-PREFERRING AA RAT LINE

Abundant data exists on the neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of alcohol drinking, yet the neural circuitry mediating alcohol reinforcement has not been fully elucidated. In the present experiments, we used both neuroimaging and pharmacological tools for identifying neural systems underlying high voluntary alcohol drinking in the alcohol-preferring AA (Alko Alcohol) …

Prazosin + Naltrexone Decreases Alcohol Drinking More Effectively Than Does Either Drug Alone in P Rats with a Protracted History of Extensive Voluntary Alcohol Drinking, Dependence, and Multiple Withdrawals.

Prazosin (PRZ; an α1 -adrenergic receptor antagonist) and naltrexone (NTX; a nonspecific opioid receptor antagonist) each decrease alcohol drinking when administered to rats selectively bred for high voluntary alcohol drinking (alcohol-preferring or "P"), and the combination of PRZ + NTX decreases alcohol drinking more effectively than does either drug alone. As drug responsiveness can depend on history of alcohol drinking and dependence, we investigated whether various schedules of PRZ and NTX administration, alone or in combination, are effective in decreasing alcohol drinking in male P rats with a history of protracted voluntary alcohol drinking, dependence, and repeated withdrawals closely resembling human alcoholism. Male P rats became alcohol-dependent during 1 year of ad libitum 24 h/d access to food, water, and 20% alcohol with repetitive temporary alcohol withdrawals. Four sequential studies then addressed effects of oral PRZ (2 mg/kg) and NTX (10 mg/kg), alone or together, on alcohol drinking during: (i) daily alcohol access with daily drug treatment, (ii) intermittent alcohol access with daily drug treatment, (iii) intermittent alcohol access with occasional drug treatment, and (iv) postdeprivation reinstatement of alcohol access. The combination of PRZ + NTX consistently suppressed alcohol drinking during daily or intermittent alcohol access conditions and when drug treatment was either daily or occasional. PRZ + NTX was consistently more effective than either drug alone. The reduction in alcohol drinking was not due to sedation, motor effects, or malaise. Both daily and "as-needed" treatment with PRZ + NTX are highly effective in suppressing daily, intermittent, and postdeprivation alcohol drinking in male P rats with a protracted history of alcohol dependence and repeated withdrawals. This drug combination may be especially effective for treating individuals with long histories of heavy alcohol abuse, dependence, and repeated relapse, as commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Abstract 886: Health behaviors of cancer survivors: higher alcohol drinking, lower smoking and physical inactivity pattern in survivors with higher household income

Abstract Background: This study investigated the prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity in cancer survivors and examined the sociodemographic factors affecting these health-related behaviors. Methods: We used data from the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2007 and 2012, which identified 1,153 cancer cases and 34,368 non-cancer controls ≥ 20 years of age. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain information concerning cancer diagnosis and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: The proportion of cancer survivors who were current drinkers, heavy drinkers, current smokers, or engaged in physical activity were 49.1, 9.0, 9.2, or 50.7%, respectively. Compared with non-cancer controls, cancer survivors were less likely to be current drinkers, heavy drinkers, or current smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.66; OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44-0.78; and OR = 0.44, 95% CI, 0.34-0.59, respectively). Cancer survivors with higher household incomes had higher odds of current drinking and heavy drinking (P trend = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively) and were less likely to be current smokers or physically inactive (P trend <0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Age, gender, employment status, the type of cancer, and the duration of cancer diagnosis affected the health behaviors. Furthermore, we confirmed that these unhealthy behaviors are interrelated. Conclusions: We found that household income had a bidirectional effect on health behaviors and confirmed an aggregation of unhealthy lifestyles. Identification of survivors vulnerable to unhealthy lifestyles would allow intervention programs to be more effective. Citation Format: Boyoung Park, Sun-Young Kong, Jeongseon Kim, Yeol Kim, In Hae Park, So-Youn Jung, Eun Sook Lee. Health behaviors of cancer survivors: higher alcohol drinking, lower smoking and physical inactivity pattern in survivors with higher household income. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 886. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-886

Alcohol-induced dysregulation of stress-related circuitry: The search for novel targets and implications for interventions across the sexes.

While the ability to process fermented fruits and alcohols was once an adaptive trait that improved nutrition and quality of life, the availability and prevalence of high potency alcoholic drinks has contributed to alcohol abuse disorders in a vulnerable portion of the population. Although the neural reward systems take part in the initial response to alcohol, negative reinforcement and stress, which are normally adaptive responses, can intersect to promote continued alcohol use at all stages of the addiction cycle. Eventually a point is reached where these once adaptive responses become dysregulated resulting in uncontrolled intake that constitutes a clinically important condition termed alcohol use disorder (AUD). Current research is targeted at both the behavioral and molecular adaptations in AUDs in an effort to better develop novel approaches to intervention. In this review, historical context is provided demonstrating the societal burden of alcohol use and abuse disorders. The importance of gender in the mechanism of action of alcohol is discussed. Finally, the impact of alcohol on stress-related circuitry, uncovered by preclinical research, is outlined to provide insight into potential novel pharmacological approaches to the treatment of AUD.

Reduction of alcohol drinking of alcohol-preferring (P) and high-alcohol drinking (HAD1) rats by targeting phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4).

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) and neuroimmune signaling have been posited to regulate alcohol drinking. This study evaluated the involvement of PDE4 and Il22ra2 on ethanol (EtOH) intake by alcohol-preferring (P) and high-alcohol-drinking (HAD1) rats. Exp 1 determined the dose-response effects of PDE4 inhibitors, rolipram, and Ro 20-1724, on 2h/day free-choice EtOH intake by adult P and HAD1 rats. Exps 2-3 examined the effects of repeated administration with the PDE4 inhibitors on EtOH or sucrose intake and locomotor behavior. Exp 4 determined Pde4-associated gene expression differences in subregions of the extended amygdala, between high- and low-alcohol-consuming rat lines. Exp 5 evaluated the effects of infusing short hairpin RNA to knock down Il22ra2 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell on a 24-h free-choice EtOH drinking by P rats. Administration of rolipram or Ro 20-1724 reduced EtOH intake by P rats; Ro 20-1724 reduced EtOH intake by HAD1 rats. Repeated rolipram or Ro 20-1724 exposure reduced EtOH intake by P and HAD1 rats. PDE4 inhibition induced motor impairment during the first hour of EtOH intake by P rats. Higher gene expression levels for PDE4A were found in the NAc shell of P vs NP rats. ShRNAs targeting Il22ra2 in the NAc shell significantly reduced chronic EtOH intake. PDE4 and neuroinflammatory/immune signaling pathways could represent molecular targets for the treatment of alcohol use disorders in genetically predisposed subjects. This study underscores the importance of testing compounds over multiple days and rat lines when determining efficacy to disrupt excessive alcohol intake.

Maternal instinct semantic factors model innovation: alcohol drinking behaviour modification learning in health volunteer housewives

The purpose is to identify the semantic factors with attention to arouse the maternal instinct of housewives being as health volunteers. The samples of this research are 18 housewives being village health volunteers with high maternal instinct and alcohol drinking behaviour learning in the rural communities, Thailand. By using adaptive control of thought rational (ACT-R) process, based on maternal instinct implemented from the semantic model, maternal instinct semantic factors model innovation is found. It engages with six cognitions; finance, health, family, children, society’s recognition and environment. Importantly, this model illustrates the 13 significant methods of activity designing.

Gene expression within the extended amygdala of 5 pairs of rat lines selectively bred for high or low ethanol consumption

The objectives of this study were to determine innate differences in gene expression in 2 regions of the extended amygdala between 5 different pairs of lines of male rats selectively bred for high or low ethanol consumption: a) alcohol-preferring (P) vs. alcohol-non-preferring (NP) rats, b) high-alcohol-drinking (HAD) vs. low-alcohol-drinking (LAD) rats (replicate line–pairs 1 and 2), c) ALKO alcohol (AA) vs. nonalcohol (ANA) rats, and d) Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) vs. Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP) rats, and then to determine if these differences are common across the line–pairs. Microarray analysis revealed up to 1772 unique named genes in the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) and 494 unique named genes in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) that significantly differed [False Discovery Rate (FDR) = 0.10; fold-change at least 1.2] in expression between the individual line–pairs. Analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) and Ingenuity Pathways information indicated significant categories and networks in common for up to 3 or 4 line–pairs, but not for all 5 line–pairs. However, there were almost no individual genes in common within these categories and networks. ANOVAs of the combined data for the 5 line–pairs indicated 1014 and 731 significant (p < 0.01) differences in expression of named genes in the AcbSh and CeA, respectively. There were 4–6 individual named genes that significantly differed across up to 3 line–pairs in both regions; only 1 gene (Gsta4 in the CeA) differed in as many as 4 line–pairs. Overall, the findings suggest that a) some biological categories or networks (e.g., cell-to-cell signaling, cellular stress response, cellular organization, etc.) may be in common for subsets of line–pairs within either the AcbSh or CeA, and b) regulation of different genes and/or combinations of multiple biological systems may be contributing to the disparate alcohol drinking behaviors of these line–pairs.

부모의 고위험 음주 행동이 자녀의 건강행동에 미치는 영향

이 연구는 2009년 지역사회 건강조사 자료를 활용하여 부모의 고위험 음주행동이 자녀의 건강행동에 미치는 영향을 조사하여 가족의 건강문제의 예방 및 관리를 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 하는 목적에서 이루어 졌다. 대상은 19세 이상의 자녀를 둔 세대 중 고위험 음주에 노출된 16,383명을 선택하여 각 ID별로 부모가 고위험 음주자인 916명을 분류하여 빈도분석, 카이제곱 검정과 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 고위험 음주 부모의 자녀가 정상인 음주부모의 자녀에 비해 고위험 음주행동이(p<0.01)이 높았으며 부정적 건강행태에 영향을 미쳤다. 그러므로 고위험음주들에 대한 가족형 보건교육이 제도적으로 필요함을 고려하여 음주로 인한 문제의 해결이 가정에서부터 이루어져야 함을 제안한다. This study was performed to examine the impact on the health behaviors of the children by their parents' drinking behaviors. We used the data from a community health survey in 2009. The subjects were selected the household that had a child older than 19, and then among them, chose those 916 parents of highly risky drinking exposition among 16,383 control parents. The collected data was analyzed by frequency, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis, using SPSS 18.0k program. Parent's high risk drinking behavior was independently associated with children's high risk drinking behavior after adjusting covariates(p<0.01). According to the result of the study, high risk drinking behavior of parents impact highly on the children's high risk alcohol drinking, nutritional behaviors, influenza vaccination, and tooth brushing, so it's necessary to consider a systematic family health education to the high risk drinkers.

Combining naltrexone and prazosin in a single oral medication decreases alcohol drinking more effectively than does either drug alone.

Naltrexone (NTX) is underutilized in clinical treatment settings because its efficacy is modest, and it is not effective for all alcoholics and, when it is effective, a significant number of alcoholics fail to maintain initial treatment gains and subsequently relapse to heavy drinking. This has slowed acceptance of NTX by the treatment community, and there is a clear need for additional treatments for alcoholism and alcohol use disorders. Given that NTX and prazosin can each reduce alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference and high voluntary alcohol drinking (alcohol-preferring "P" rats), we tested whether a combination of NTX + prazosin is more effective in decreasing alcohol drinking than is either drug alone. P rats were given access to a 15% (v/v) alcohol solution for 2 hours daily. Rats were fed NTX and prazosin, alone or in combination, prior to onset of the daily 2-hour alcohol access period for 4 weeks and the effect of drug treatment on alcohol and water intake was assessed. During the first week of treatment, neither a low dose of NTX, nor prazosin, was effective in decreasing alcohol intake when each drug was administered alone, but combining the 2 drugs in a single medication significantly reduced alcohol intake. The combination was as effective as was a higher dose of NTX. Using a low dose of NTX in combination with prazosin may reduce the potential for undesirable side effects early in treatment which, in turn, may improve patient compliance and result in a more successful outcome when NTX is used for treating alcoholism and alcohol use disorders. Combining low-dose NTX and prazosin in a single medication may be more useful than is either drug alone for treating both inpatient and outpatient alcoholics and heavy drinkers early in the treatment process.

Prazosin reduces alcohol drinking throughout prolonged treatment and blocks the initiation of drinking in rats selectively bred for high alcohol intake.

This study examined whether prazosin reduces alcohol drinking over the course of prolonged treatment and whether it blocks the initiation of alcohol drinking in rats with a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking, that is alcohol-preferring (P) rats. In study one, alcohol-experienced P rats that had been drinking alcohol for 2 h/d for several months were treated daily with prazosin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg body weight [BW]) for 7 weeks. In study two, alcohol-naïve P rats were treated daily with prazosin (0, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg BW) for 2 weeks prior to, or concomitantly with, the initiation of alcohol access and throughout 3 weeks of alcohol availability. Prazosin treatment and alcohol access were then discontinued for 2 weeks followed by reinstatement of alcohol access without prazosin treatment for 4 weeks, followed by resumption of daily prazosin treatment (2.0 mg/kg BW) for 3 weeks. Prazosin reduced alcohol drinking throughout 7 weeks of treatment in P rats accustomed to drinking alcohol. Following termination of prazosin treatment, alcohol drinking slowly returned to pretreatment baseline. Reduced alcohol intake was accompanied by increased water intake. In alcohol-naïve P rats, prazosin administration prior to the first opportunity to drink alcohol and throughout 3 weeks of alcohol access retarded acquisition of alcohol drinking and reduced the amount of alcohol consumed. When prazosin was administered concomitantly with the first opportunity to drink alcohol, it abolished acquisition of alcohol drinking. Discontinuation of prazosin treatment allowed expression of a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking to gradually emerge. Prazosin retained the ability to reduce alcohol intake with repeated treatments. Prazosin decreased alcohol drinking during prolonged treatment and may be useful for treating alcoholism and alcohol-use disorders. Prazosin may also be useful for deterring the initiation of drinking in individuals with a family history of alcoholism.

Alcohol on drinking experience and attitudes towards sexual behaviors among female students in a Guangzhou technical secondary school

Objectives: To study the prevalence of alcohol drinking experience and attitudes towards sex behaviors among female students in a technical secondary school in Guangzhou, China. Methods: Cluster random sampling and a self-administered questionnaire survey. Results: 653 female students aged more than 18 years in a technical secondary school were surveyed. 112 (17.2%) of them had not drunk alcohol. From the group with no alcohol experience to those who drank low level alcoholic drinks, and high level alcoholic drinks, or had got drunk (3 groups), there was an increasing trend of agreeing to love (33.9%, 56.9% and 63.3% respectively, p

Alterations in ethanol seeking and self-administration following yohimbine in selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and high alcohol drinking (HAD-2) rats

Evidence suggests that stress increases alcohol drinking and promotes relapse in humans. Animal models that assess related behaviors include the sipper tube ethanol self-administration and the stress-induced reinstatement paradigms. While selectively bred for the same high-ethanol-drinking behavior, alcohol-preferring P rats appear to show greater sensitivity to ethanol reinforcement than high-alcohol-drinking HAD rats. The present experiment tested the effects of the pharmacological stressor, yohimbine, on the motivation to seek and consume ethanol implementing a combined sipper tube/reinstatement model using male P and HAD-2 rats. Following training to self-administer ethanol using the sipper tube procedure, rats were tested for the effects of yohimbine (0.625–2.5mg/kg) on ethanol drinking. Subsequently, rats were tested for the effects of 1.25mg/kg yohimbine on reinstatement of ethanol seeking. Yohimbine (0.625 and 1.25mg/kg) increased ethanol self-administration, and the latter dose also decreased latency to complete the response requirement. Yohimbine elicited reinstatement of ethanol seeking in both lines. HAD-2 rats drank more ethanol, but showed similar responding on the ethanol-associated lever compared to P rats. These findings extend both the reinstatement and sipper tube models and justify further exploration of this unique combined paradigm. Despite prior evidence suggesting that P rats are more motivated to seek and consume ethanol, differences in these behaviors between P and HAD-2 rats were not systematic in the present experiment. Further investigation may elucidate whether either selected line may be more sensitive than other selectively bred or outbred rats to stress-related changes in ethanol's reinforcing effects.

Effects of coffee, smoking, and alcohol on liver function tests: a comprehensive cross-sectional study

BackgroundLiver function tests (LFTs) can be affected by many factors and the proposed effects of coffee on LFT require a comprehensive evaluation. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether drinking coffee, smoking, or drinking alcohol have independent effects on LFTs in Korean health-check examinees.MethodsWe used the responses of 500 health-check examinees, who had participated in a self-administered questionnaire survey about coffee, alcohol drinking, and smoking habits.ResultsCoffee consumption was closely related to male gender, high body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking, and smoking. On univariable and multivariable analyses, drinking coffee lowered serum levels of total protein, albumin, and aspartate aminotransferases (AST). On multivariable analyses, smoking raised serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level and decreased serum protein and albumin levels, while alcohol drinking raised GGT level after adjustment for age, gender, regular medication, BMI, coffee and alcohol drinking amounts, and smoking.ConclusionsCoffee consumption, smoking, and alcohol drinking affect the individual components of LFT in different ways, and the above 3 habits each have an impact on LFTs. Therefore, their effects on LFTs should be carefully interpreted, and further study on the mechanism of the effects is warranted.

Daily patterns of ethanol drinking in adolescent and adult, male and female, high alcohol drinking (HAD) replicate lines of rats

The rationale for our study was to determine the pattern of ethanol drinking by the high alcohol-drinking (HAD) replicate lines of rats during adolescence and adulthood in both male and female rats. Rats were given 30days of 24h free-choice access to ethanol (15%, v/v) and water, with ad lib access to food, starting at the beginning of adolescence (PND 30) or adulthood (PND 90). Water and alcohol drinking patterns were monitored 22h/day with a “lickometer” set-up. The results indicated that adolescent HAD-1 and HAD-2 males consumed the greatest levels of ethanol and had the most well defined ethanol licking binges among the age and sex groups with increasing levels of ethanol consumption throughout adolescence. In addition, following the first week of adolescence, male and female HAD-1 and HAD-2 rats differed in both ethanol consumption levels and ethanol licking behavior. Adult HAD-1 male and female rats did not differ from one another and their ethanol intake or licking behaviors did not change significantly over weeks. Adult HAD-2 male rats maintained a relatively constant level of ethanol consumption across weeks, whereas adult HAD-2 female rats increased ethanol consumption levels over weeks, peaking during the third week when they consumed more than their adult male counterparts. The results indicate that the HAD rat lines could be used as an effective animal model to examine the development of ethanol consumption and binge drinking in adolescent male and female rats providing information on the long-range consequences of adolescent alcohol drinking.

Gene expression in the ventral tegmental area of 5 pairs of rat lines selectively bred for high or low ethanol consumption

The objective of this study was to determine if there are common innate differences in gene expression or gene pathways in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) among 5 different pairs of rat lines selectively bred for high (HEC) or low (LEC) ethanol consumption: (a) alcohol-preferring (P) vs. alcohol-non-preferring (NP) rats; (b) high-alcohol-drinking (HAD) vs. low-alcohol-drinking (LAD) rats (replicate line pairs 1 and 2); (c) ALKO alcohol (AA) vs. nonalcohol (ANA) rats; and (d) Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) vs. alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP) rats. Microarray analysis revealed between 370 and 1340 unique named genes that significantly differed in expression between the individual line-pairs. Analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) and Ingenuity Pathways information indicated significant categories and networks in common for up to 3 line-pairs, but not for all 5 line-pairs; moreover, there were few genes in common in these categories and networks. ANOVA of the combined data for the 5 line-pairs indicated 1295 significant (p<0.01) differences in expression of named genes. Although no individual named gene was significant across all 5 line-pairs, there were 22 genes that overlapped in the same direction in 3 or 4 of the line-pairs. Overall, the findings suggest that (a) some biological categories or networks may be in common for subsets of line-pairs; and (b) regulation of different genes and/or combinations of multiple biological systems (e.g., transcription, synaptic function, intracellular signaling and protection against oxidative stress) within the VTA (possibly involving dopamine and glutamate) may be contributing to the disparate alcohol drinking behaviors of these line-pairs.

Reduction of Ethanol Consumption in Alcohol-Preferring Rats by Dual Expression Gene Transfer

To mimic, in an animal model of alcoholism, the protective phenotype against alcohol consumption observed in humans carrying a fast alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B*2) and an inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2*2). We developed a multiple expression cassette adenoviral vector (AdV-ADH/asALDH2) encoding both a fast rat ADH and an antisense RNA against rat ALDH2. A control adenoviral vector (AdV-C) containing intronic non-coding DNA was also developed. These adenoviral vectors were administered intravenously to rats bred as high alcohol-drinkers (University of Chile bibulous) that were previously rendered alcohol dependent by a 75-day period of voluntary 10% ethanol intake. Animals administered AdV-ADH/asALDH2 showed a 176% increase in liver ADH activity, whereas liver ALDH2 activity was reduced by 24%, and upon the administration of a dose of ethanol (1g/kg, i.p.), these showed arterial acetaldehyde levels that were 400% higher than those of animals administered AdV-C. Rats that received the AdV-ADH/asALDH2 vector reduced by 60% their voluntary ethanol intake versus controls. This study provides evidence that the simultaneous increase of liver ADH and a reduction of ALDH activity by gene transfer could constitute a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of alcoholism.

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis of Predictors of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Disability among Bank Workers in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of occupational disability worldwide and impose a considerable burden on the individual, society and industry in terms of absenteeism and cost of treatment. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of MSDs and associated disability among bank workers in Ghana. Methods: The 12-month period-prevalence of self-reported MSDs was studied among 230 bank workers in Kumasi, Ghana. The cross-sectional survey used a previously validated self-administered questionnaire that included the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) and the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ12). Results: Most (83.5%) of the workers suffered at least one MSD resulting in 15.7% disability rate. The most common reported symptoms were lower back pain (64.8%), upper back pain (61.7%), neck pain (47.4%) and shoulder pain (37.4%). Two multi factor-predictor logistic models fitted to the data showed that female sex, longer job duration and high GHQ12 score were significant predictors of MSDs while high GHQ12 score, sedentary lifestyle and alcohol drinking were significant predictors of MSD-associated disability. Conclusions: Attitudinal change, treatment and interventional programs may reduce the incidence of this common occupational injury.

Obesity management and continuing medical education in primary care: results of a Swiss survey

BackgroundThe worldwide increase in obesity is becoming a major health concern. General practitioners (GPs) play a central role in managing obesity. We aimed to examine Swiss GPs self-reported practice in diagnosis and treatment of obesity with a special focus on the performance of waist measurement.MethodsA structured self-reported questionnaire was mailed to 323 GPs recruited from four urban physician networks in Switzerland. Measures included professional experience, type of practice, obesity-related continuing medical education (CME) and practice in dealing with obesity such as waist measurement. We assessed the association between the performance of waist measurement and obesity-related CME by multivariate ordered logistic regression controlling for GP characteristics as potential confounders.ResultsA total of 187 GPs responded to the questionnaire. More than half of the GPs felt confident in managing obesity. The majority of the GPs (73%) spent less than 4 days in the last 5 years on obesity-related CME. More than half of GPs gave advice to reduce energy intakes (64%), intakes of high caloric and alcoholic drinks (56%) and to increase the physical activity (78%). Half of the GPs seldom performed waist measurement and documentation. The frequency of obesity-related CME was independently associated with the performance of waist measurement when controlled for GPs' characteristics by multivariate ordered logistic regression.ConclusionsThe majority of GPs followed guideline recommendations promoting physical activity and dietary counselling. We observed a gap between the increasing evidence for waist circumference assessment as an important measure in obesity management and actual clinical practice. Our data indicated that specific obesity-related CME might help to reduce this gap.