Correlation of liver dysfunction biological markers to the mood status of alcohol-dependent individuals

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol intake is a major cause of liver cirrhosis as well as chronic liver disease, and commonly coexists with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between liver dysfunction related to alcohol intake with anxiety and depressive-like symptomatology prior to and after the detoxification period. METHODS: One hundred alcohol abusing/dependent subjects (81 males and 19 females) were treated on an inpatient basis according to a standard detoxification protocol and measurements of serum levels of hepatic enzymes (ASAT, ALAT, γGT), and measures of anxiety (HARS), depression (HDRS) and global functioning (GAS) were also obtained at baseline and at weekly intervals over a period of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Increased levels of hepatic enzymes were observed upon admission that were significantly reduced (P<0.001) following completion of the detoxification treatment. In addition, the psychopathological profile was improved at the end of the detoxification period and a significant correlation was obtained between the levels of hepatic enzymes and the global functioning of alcohol-dependent individuals. CONCLUSION: This observation further supports a relationship between the depressogenic action of alcohol and the disordered liver function observed in alcohol-dependent individuals, with possible implications in the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders associated to alcohol abuse.