Pub Date : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.007
Timothy C. Durazzo , Brian D.P. Joseff , Dieter J. Meyerhoff
Low levels of alcohol consumption (e.g., up to two standard drink equivalents/day for males and one drink/day for females) have been viewed as benign or even beneficial, particularly for cardiovascular function. A limited number of studies investigated associations of alcohol consumption with brain volumes and metabolite levels in “healthy” cohorts without alcohol use disorder (AUD) and yielded mixed results. To date, no study has concurrently assessed brain morphometrics and metabolites in regions that previously showed associations with alcohol consumption in healthy adults. The current study examined the associations between alcohol consumption and magnetic resonance measures of brain volume and cortical thickness (n = 44), and brain metabolite levels (n = 27–29) in healthy non-smoking adults (22–70 years of age) with no history of AUD; average number of drinks/month prior to study was 19 ± 17. Volumes and thickness were quantitated for the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and metabolites in the ACC and right DLPFC. All participants consumed ≤60 standard drink equivalents per month, over the year preceding study. Lower left caudal ACC volume and thickness and lower right superior frontal gyrus volume were related to higher 1-year average drinks/month. Lower ACC creatine-containing compounds and myo-inositol levels were associated with higher 1-year average drinks/month; lower ACC myo-inositol concentration was related to higher lifetime average drinks/month. Results indicate potential neurobiological consequences for levels of alcohol consumption currently considered “low risk” for adverse biomedical effects. These findings may have implications for current harm reduction strategies and alcohol consumption public health guidelines.
{"title":"Low level alcohol consumption is associated with lower regional brain volume and thickness and lower choline-containing compounds and myo-inositol levels in healthy adults","authors":"Timothy C. Durazzo , Brian D.P. Joseff , Dieter J. Meyerhoff","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low levels of alcohol consumption (e.g., up to two standard drink equivalents/day for males and one drink/day for females) have been viewed as benign or even beneficial, particularly for cardiovascular function. A limited number of studies investigated associations of alcohol consumption with brain volumes and metabolite levels in “healthy” cohorts without alcohol use disorder (AUD) and yielded mixed results. To date, no study has concurrently assessed brain morphometrics and metabolites in regions that previously showed associations with alcohol consumption in healthy adults. The current study examined the associations between alcohol consumption and magnetic resonance measures of brain volume and cortical thickness (n = 44), and brain metabolite levels (n = 27–29) in healthy non-smoking adults (22–70 years of age) with no history of AUD; average number of drinks/month prior to study was 19 ± 17. Volumes and thickness were quantitated for the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and metabolites in the ACC and right DLPFC. All participants consumed ≤60 standard drink equivalents per month, over the year preceding study. Lower left caudal ACC volume and thickness and lower right superior frontal gyrus volume were related to higher 1-year average drinks/month. Lower ACC creatine-containing compounds and <em>myo</em>-inositol levels were associated with higher 1-year average drinks/month; lower ACC <em>myo</em>-inositol concentration was related to higher lifetime average drinks/month. Results indicate potential neurobiological consequences for levels of alcohol consumption currently considered “low risk” for adverse biomedical effects. These findings may have implications for current harm reduction strategies and alcohol consumption public health guidelines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 157-165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145412583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.005
Karolina Dorobisz , Tadeusz Dorobisz , Katarzyna Pazdro-Zastawny , Marzena Janczak , Katarzyna Czyż
<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with over 880,000 new cases reported worldwide each year. Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are the main risk factors for HNSCC, accounting for 30 % of HNSCC cases worldwide. Alcohol is a particularly important risk factor not only for HNSCC and was recognized in 1988 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a very important risk factor for the incidence of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, and was classified as group 1 cancer risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of alcohol on the quality of life, mental state, clinical state and nutritional status in patients with HNSCC.</div></div><div><h3>Material and method</h3><div>The single-center, prospective study included a group of 123 patients aged 42 to 89, treated for laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer and cancer of unknown primary site HNSCC. Socio-demographic data and the presence of risk factors were assessed in each patient. The performance status of the patients was assessed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. The nutritional status of patients was assessed via a Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short FORM (MNA-SF). Each patient was also assessed using the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002). The level of depression and anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients were also assessed for sleep problems using the Insomnia Severity Index. Quality of life was assessed using the Polish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer 35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35). In each patient, the results of laboratory tests were also analyzed - morphology, nutritional parameters - total protein, total cholesterol and CRP protein level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients who regularly drank alcohol more often suffered from throat cancer (91.2 %) and larynx cancer (59.2 %), while CUP was more often diagnosed in patients without a history of regular alcohol consumption. Patients who drank alcohol were diagnosed at a significantly higher stage compared to the group of non-drinkers. In the study group of patients regularly drinking alcohol with diagnosed HSCC, a significantly worse clinical condition, risk of malnutrition or malnutrition was demonstrated compared to patients with diagnosed HNSCC who did not drink alcohol. In laboratory tests, patients drinking alcohol had a lower hemoglobin level before treatment (11.7 vs 12.8 g/dl, p < 0.001), a higher leukocyte level (10.3 vs 7.5 × 10 <sup>9</sup>/l, p < 0.001), a lower total protein level (6.3 vs 6.8 g/dl, p < 0.001), a higher mean CRP level (8.0 vs 5.0 mg/l) and a lower total cholesterol level (134 vs 187 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Those who drank alcohol more often had significan
头颈部鳞状细胞癌(HNSCC)是全球第六大常见癌症,每年全球报告的新病例超过88万例。吸烟和饮酒是HNSCC的主要危险因素,占全球HNSCC病例的30%。酒精不仅是HNSCC的一个特别重要的危险因素,而且在1988年被国际癌症研究机构(IARC)确认为口腔癌、口咽癌、下咽癌和喉癌发病率的一个非常重要的危险因素,并被列为第1组癌症危险因素。本研究的目的是评估酒精对HNSCC患者生活质量、精神状态、临床状态和营养状况的影响。材料与方法本研究为单中心前瞻性研究,纳入123例42 - 89岁的喉癌、咽癌和原发部位未知的HNSCC患者。评估每位患者的社会人口统计数据和危险因素的存在。采用东部肿瘤合作组(ECOG)量表评估患者的表现状态。通过身体质量指数(BMI)评估和迷你营养评估简表(MNA-SF)评估患者的营养状况。每位患者还使用2002年营养风险筛查(NRS2002)进行评估。采用医院焦虑抑郁量表(HADS)评估抑郁和焦虑水平。研究人员还使用失眠症严重程度指数来评估患者的睡眠问题。生活质量采用波兰版欧洲癌症研究和治疗组织头颈癌生活质量问卷35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35)进行评估。对每位患者的实验室检查结果也进行了分析——形态学、营养参数——总蛋白、总胆固醇和CRP蛋白水平。结果经常饮酒的患者患咽喉癌(91.2%)和喉癌(59.2%)较多,而无经常饮酒史的患者多患CUP。与不饮酒的患者相比,饮酒患者的诊断阶段明显更高。在诊断为hsc的定期饮酒患者的研究组中,与未饮酒的诊断为HNSCC的患者相比,临床状况、营养不良或营养不良的风险明显更差。在实验室测试中,饮酒患者治疗前血红蛋白水平较低(11.7 vs 12.8 g/dl, p < 0.001),白细胞水平较高(10.3 vs 7.5 × 109 /l, p < 0.001),总蛋白水平较低(6.3 vs 6.8 g/dl, p < 0.001),平均CRP水平较高(8.0 vs 5.0 mg/l),总胆固醇水平较低(134 vs 187 mg/dl, p < 0.001)。在HADS和ISI的调查中,与不喝酒的人相比,经常喝酒的人有更严重的精神状态和睡眠问题。在EORT qq - h&;N35调查的结果中,饮酒的患者在疼痛感、吞咽、唾液粘稠、感觉不适、语言、社交饮食和社交接触等问题上的表现更差。结论酒精是HNSCC的重要危险因素,通常与吸烟相关。显著影响患者临床状况和营养状况的恶化。是降低HNSCC患者生活质量、恶化患者精神状态的重要因素。有必要对酗酒患者实施综合护理,同时进行戒烟和戒酒的教育和宣传。必须从最年轻的年龄开始提高社会意识,并在政治支持下实施环境和教育预防措施。加强对酒精致癌性的认识可以显著降低HNSCC患者的发病率,改善治疗效果。
{"title":"The impact of alcohol addiction on the quality of life, mental condition, clinical condition and nutritional status of patients with head and neck cancer","authors":"Karolina Dorobisz , Tadeusz Dorobisz , Katarzyna Pazdro-Zastawny , Marzena Janczak , Katarzyna Czyż","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with over 880,000 new cases reported worldwide each year. Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are the main risk factors for HNSCC, accounting for 30 % of HNSCC cases worldwide. Alcohol is a particularly important risk factor not only for HNSCC and was recognized in 1988 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a very important risk factor for the incidence of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, and was classified as group 1 cancer risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of alcohol on the quality of life, mental state, clinical state and nutritional status in patients with HNSCC.</div></div><div><h3>Material and method</h3><div>The single-center, prospective study included a group of 123 patients aged 42 to 89, treated for laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer and cancer of unknown primary site HNSCC. Socio-demographic data and the presence of risk factors were assessed in each patient. The performance status of the patients was assessed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale. The nutritional status of patients was assessed via a Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short FORM (MNA-SF). Each patient was also assessed using the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002). The level of depression and anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients were also assessed for sleep problems using the Insomnia Severity Index. Quality of life was assessed using the Polish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer 35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35). In each patient, the results of laboratory tests were also analyzed - morphology, nutritional parameters - total protein, total cholesterol and CRP protein level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients who regularly drank alcohol more often suffered from throat cancer (91.2 %) and larynx cancer (59.2 %), while CUP was more often diagnosed in patients without a history of regular alcohol consumption. Patients who drank alcohol were diagnosed at a significantly higher stage compared to the group of non-drinkers. In the study group of patients regularly drinking alcohol with diagnosed HSCC, a significantly worse clinical condition, risk of malnutrition or malnutrition was demonstrated compared to patients with diagnosed HNSCC who did not drink alcohol. In laboratory tests, patients drinking alcohol had a lower hemoglobin level before treatment (11.7 vs 12.8 g/dl, p < 0.001), a higher leukocyte level (10.3 vs 7.5 × 10 <sup>9</sup>/l, p < 0.001), a lower total protein level (6.3 vs 6.8 g/dl, p < 0.001), a higher mean CRP level (8.0 vs 5.0 mg/l) and a lower total cholesterol level (134 vs 187 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Those who drank alcohol more often had significan","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 150-156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-12DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.004
Steven J. Nieto , Erica N. Grodin , Lara A. Ray
Background
Pain frequently co-occurs with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and may influence treatment response. In this secondary analysis of a completed randomized clinical trial, we examined whether baseline pain intensity and pain-related disability moderate the effects of ibudilast, a neuroimmune-modulating agent, on drinking outcomes over 12 weeks.
Method
Participants (N = 102; 60 % male; M age = 44.26, SD = 10.81) with moderate-to-severe AUD were randomized to ibudilast (50 mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Pain intensity and disability were assessed at baseline using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Piecewise linear mixed-effects models tested the moderating effect of pain on percent heavy drinking days (PHDD), percent days abstinent, drinks per day, and drinks per drinking day, adjusting for early (baseline–Week 2) and late (Weeks 4–12) trial phases.
Results
Pain variables were not significantly correlated with any drinking outcome at baseline (all |r| ≤ .08, p > .45). Significant three-way interactions (Medication × Pain Intensity × Time) emerged for PHDD in both early and late phases (ps < 0.05), indicating that higher pain intensity predicted greater PHDD in the placebo arm (b = 0.10, p = .04) but not in the ibudilast arm (b = 0.007, p ≥ .89). Similar interactions were observed for pain intensity and pain-related disability on drinks per day, though simple slopes were nonsignificant. No significant moderation effects were found for percent days abstinent or drinks per drinking day.
Conclusions
Ibudilast attenuated the positive association between baseline pain intensity and heavy drinking, suggesting that pain intensity may identify an AUD subgroup more likely to benefit from neuroimmune-targeted pharmacotherapy. These findings support incorporating pain phenotyping into AUD treatment research and point toward a precision medicine approach to enhance treatment efficacy.
{"title":"Ibudilast attenuates the association between pain intensity and heavy drinking in alcohol use disorder: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial","authors":"Steven J. Nieto , Erica N. Grodin , Lara A. Ray","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pain frequently co-occurs with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and may influence treatment response. In this secondary analysis of a completed randomized clinical trial, we examined whether baseline pain intensity and pain-related disability moderate the effects of ibudilast, a neuroimmune-modulating agent, on drinking outcomes over 12 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Participants (N = 102; 60 % male; <em>M</em> age = 44.26, <em>SD</em> = 10.81) with moderate-to-severe AUD were randomized to ibudilast (50 mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Pain intensity and disability were assessed at baseline using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Piecewise linear mixed-effects models tested the moderating effect of pain on percent heavy drinking days (PHDD), percent days abstinent, drinks per day, and drinks per drinking day, adjusting for early (baseline–Week 2) and late (Weeks 4–12) trial phases.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pain variables were not significantly correlated with any drinking outcome at baseline (all |<em>r</em>| ≤ .08, <em>p</em> > .45). Significant three-way interactions (Medication × Pain Intensity × Time) emerged for PHDD in both early and late phases (<em>p</em>s < 0.05), indicating that higher pain intensity predicted greater PHDD in the placebo arm (<em>b</em> = 0.10, <em>p</em> = .04) but not in the ibudilast arm (<em>b</em> = 0.007, <em>p</em> ≥ .89). Similar interactions were observed for pain intensity and pain-related disability on drinks per day, though simple slopes were nonsignificant. No significant moderation effects were found for percent days abstinent or drinks per drinking day.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Ibudilast attenuated the positive association between baseline pain intensity and heavy drinking, suggesting that pain intensity may identify an AUD subgroup more likely to benefit from neuroimmune-targeted pharmacotherapy. These findings support incorporating pain phenotyping into AUD treatment research and point toward a precision medicine approach to enhance treatment efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 145-149"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145294528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.003
Natália Gabriele Hösch , Raíssa A.F. Reis , Rômulo Dias Novaes , Carlos Giovani O. Nascimento , Renato Rizo Ventura , Silvia Graciela Ruginsk , Jalile Amin-Naves
Considering the important clinical applications of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the present study investigated the effects of NAC treatment on ethanol-induced neuropathic alterations. For this purpose, a total number of eighty-one male adult Wistar rats were used. Alcoholic neuropathy was induced by administration of 38 % (v/v) ethanol (10 g/kg/day, oral gavage) for 10 weeks. NAC solution (1.4 g/kg/day, oral gavage) was administered immediately after ethanol treatment, also for 10 weeks. The electronic von Frey, Randall Selitto and tail flick tests were used to characterize the nociceptive thresholds to mechanical and thermal stimulations. The Rota-rod test was used to evaluate motor coordination, whereas the open field test was employed to assess general locomotor activity. The present study also determined the integrity of the sciatic nerve and the number of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons in key brain structures. As expected, long-term exposure to ethanol reduced the thickness of myelin sheath in the peripheral nerve, as well as induced allodynia, mechanical and thermal hypernociception, as well as motor incoordination. Although ethanol treatment did not alter general locomotor activity, it increased the number of rearing events, indicating enhanced exploratory behavior. In the brain, chronic ethanol consumption was associated with higher levels of c-Fos expression in the dorsal raphe nucleus, parvocellular and magnocellular groups of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and also in the periaqueductal gray. Consistent with its protective effects, NAC treatment prevented the development of all ethanol-induced alterations, including at central level. Taken together, these results suggest that NAC consistently prevents ethanol-induced neuropathy.
{"title":"N-acetylcysteine prevents ethanol-induced neuropathic pain by downregulating nociceptive activation of supraspinal brain areas","authors":"Natália Gabriele Hösch , Raíssa A.F. Reis , Rômulo Dias Novaes , Carlos Giovani O. Nascimento , Renato Rizo Ventura , Silvia Graciela Ruginsk , Jalile Amin-Naves","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Considering the important clinical applications of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the present study investigated the effects of NAC treatment on ethanol-induced neuropathic alterations. For this purpose, a total number of eighty-one male adult Wistar rats were used. Alcoholic neuropathy was induced by administration of 38 % (v/v) ethanol (10 g/kg/day, oral gavage) for 10 weeks. NAC solution (1.4 g/kg/day, oral gavage) was administered immediately after ethanol treatment, also for 10 weeks. The electronic von Frey, Randall Selitto and tail flick tests were used to characterize the nociceptive thresholds to mechanical and thermal stimulations. The Rota-rod test was used to evaluate motor coordination, whereas the open field test was employed to assess general locomotor activity. The present study also determined the integrity of the sciatic nerve and the number of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons in key brain structures. As expected, long-term exposure to ethanol reduced the thickness of myelin sheath in the peripheral nerve, as well as induced allodynia, mechanical and thermal hypernociception, as well as motor incoordination. Although ethanol treatment did not alter general locomotor activity, it increased the number of rearing events, indicating enhanced exploratory behavior. In the brain, chronic ethanol consumption was associated with higher levels of c-Fos expression in the dorsal raphe nucleus, parvocellular and magnocellular groups of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and also in the periaqueductal gray. Consistent with its protective effects, NAC treatment prevented the development of all ethanol-induced alterations, including at central level. Taken together, these results suggest that NAC consistently prevents ethanol-induced neuropathy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 134-144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145276754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-04DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.001
Rachel Schorn , Maureen Riedl , Laura S. Stone , Anna M. Lee , Lucy Vulchanova
Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are major health concerns that significantly impair quality of life. Persistent pain is common in individuals with alcohol dependence, and alcohol is commonly used by chronic pain patients for self-medication. The neural mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. We hypothesized that chronic alcohol exposure induces hypersensitivity in multiple modalities and increases the duration of recovery in acute and persistent pain models. Using the two-bottle free-choice alcohol consumption paradigm in adult mice, alcohol-induced hypersensitivity (AIH), indicated by reduced mechanical withdrawal thresholds, developed after 4–6 weeks of alcohol consumption compared to age- and sex-matched water-consuming controls. Alcohol-consuming female mice, but not male mice, developed cold hypersensitivity after AIH emerged. To assess the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on acute and persistent pain, we used intraplantar capsaicin and sciatic nerve crush models, respectively. In the capsaicin model, water-treated, but not alcohol-treated, mice recovered from hypersensitivity by 24 h post-injection. In the sciatic nerve crush model, alcohol-consuming mice exhibited slower recovery of mechanical withdrawal thresholds compared to water-consuming controls. While mechanical hypersensitivity in water-consuming mice returned to pre-surgical thresholds by 3–4 weeks post-surgery, recovery in alcohol-consuming mice was both delayed and partial. Surgical intervention did not impact alcohol intake. Overall, our results suggest that chronic voluntary alcohol consumption facilitates the transition to chronic pain by prolonging hypersensitivity and delaying recovery from injuries.
{"title":"Chronic alcohol drinking delays recovery from capsaicin- and nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity in mice","authors":"Rachel Schorn , Maureen Riedl , Laura S. Stone , Anna M. Lee , Lucy Vulchanova","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are major health concerns that significantly impair quality of life. Persistent pain is common in individuals with alcohol dependence, and alcohol is commonly used by chronic pain patients for self-medication. The neural mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. We hypothesized that chronic alcohol exposure induces hypersensitivity in multiple modalities and increases the duration of recovery in acute and persistent pain models. Using the two-bottle free-choice alcohol consumption paradigm in adult mice, alcohol-induced hypersensitivity (AIH), indicated by reduced mechanical withdrawal thresholds, developed after 4–6 weeks of alcohol consumption compared to age- and sex-matched water-consuming controls. Alcohol-consuming female mice, but not male mice, developed cold hypersensitivity after AIH emerged. To assess the impact of chronic alcohol consumption on acute and persistent pain, we used intraplantar capsaicin and sciatic nerve crush models, respectively. In the capsaicin model, water-treated, but not alcohol-treated, mice recovered from hypersensitivity by 24 h post-injection. In the sciatic nerve crush model, alcohol-consuming mice exhibited slower recovery of mechanical withdrawal thresholds compared to water-consuming controls. While mechanical hypersensitivity in water-consuming mice returned to pre-surgical thresholds by 3–4 weeks post-surgery, recovery in alcohol-consuming mice was both delayed and partial. Surgical intervention did not impact alcohol intake. Overall, our results suggest that chronic voluntary alcohol consumption facilitates the transition to chronic pain by prolonging hypersensitivity and delaying recovery from injuries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 123-133"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-03DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.002
Gleice Kelli Silva-Cardoso, Prosper N'Gouemo
The genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-3s) are known for their hereditary susceptibility to seizures and anxiety. This study investigates the impact of short-term (1 week) and long-term (4 weeks) intermittent alcohol exposure through a two-bottle choice paradigm on voluntary alcohol intake, anxiety-like behaviors, and acoustically evoked seizure susceptibility in the GEPR-3s. Anxiety behaviors were assessed 24 h post alcohol exposure using the light-dark box (LDB), open field (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM), alongside evaluations of seizure susceptibility. The results indicated that after 1 week of alcohol exposure, female GEPR-3s had higher alcohol intake and preference than males, while males increased their intake and preference after 4 weeks. Furthermore, females GEPR-3s exhibited anxiolytic effects in all anxiety tests after short-term alcohol exposure. In contrast, males displayed mixed responses, exhibiting anxiogenic effects in both LDB and OFT tests, and increased time in open arms but decreased exploration in the EPM test. Further, short-term alcohol exposure delayed seizure onset across both sexes, suggesting potential anticonvulsant effects. After 4 weeks of alcohol exposure, male GEPR-3s exhibited anxiogenic effects in both LDB and OFT tests, and reduced locomotion in the EPM test. In contrast, female GEPR-3ss showed anxiogenic effects in the LDB test, but anxiolytic effects in the OFT test, with decreased locomotion in the EPM test. Additionally, long-term alcohol exposure decreased seizure latency, indicating proconvulsant effects. These findings highlight the complex, bidirectional, and temporal dynamics between alcohol consumption, anxiety, and inherited predisposition to epilepsy.
{"title":"Intermittent short- and long-term alcohol exposures influence alcohol consumption, anxiety-like behaviors, and seizure onset in genetically epilepsy-prone rats","authors":"Gleice Kelli Silva-Cardoso, Prosper N'Gouemo","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-3s) are known for their hereditary susceptibility to seizures and anxiety. This study investigates the impact of short-term (1 week) and long-term (4 weeks) intermittent alcohol exposure through a two-bottle choice paradigm on voluntary alcohol intake, anxiety-like behaviors, and acoustically evoked seizure susceptibility in the GEPR-3s. Anxiety behaviors were assessed 24 h post alcohol exposure using the light-dark box (LDB), open field (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM), alongside evaluations of seizure susceptibility. The results indicated that after 1 week of alcohol exposure, female GEPR-3s had higher alcohol intake and preference than males, while males increased their intake and preference after 4 weeks. Furthermore, females GEPR-3s exhibited anxiolytic effects in all anxiety tests after short-term alcohol exposure. In contrast, males displayed mixed responses, exhibiting anxiogenic effects in both LDB and OFT tests, and increased time in open arms but decreased exploration in the EPM test. Further, short-term alcohol exposure delayed seizure onset across both sexes, suggesting potential anticonvulsant effects. After 4 weeks of alcohol exposure, male GEPR-3s exhibited anxiogenic effects in both LDB and OFT tests, and reduced locomotion in the EPM test. In contrast, female GEPR-3ss showed anxiogenic effects in the LDB test, but anxiolytic effects in the OFT test, with decreased locomotion in the EPM test. Additionally, long-term alcohol exposure decreased seizure latency, indicating proconvulsant effects. These findings highlight the complex, bidirectional, and temporal dynamics between alcohol consumption, anxiety, and inherited predisposition to epilepsy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 115-122"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.006
Nabiha Mahmood , Marian L. Logrip
Challenging encounters can lead to escalated alcohol consumption, as evidenced by individuals grappling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the precise influence of prior stress experiences, as opposed to acute stressors, on alcohol intake remains incompletely understood. This study sought to simulate the enduring repercussions of trauma using a stress paradigm involving foot shocks presented in an odor-enriched environment. The presence of a scent throughout contextual fear conditioning is more likely to cause stress effects to generalize across various environments, and this paradigm previously reduced working memory performance, one hallmark of PTSD. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to the stress or control condition (no foot shock), then trained to perform lever presses to obtain alcohol reinforcement. The findings revealed intriguing disparities between the sexes in past stress effects on the acquisition of alcohol self-administration. Specifically, female rats exhibited divergent patterns of alcohol acquisition across days, with the control group showing a swifter acquisition compared to their previously stressed counterparts. This pattern was not observed in males, nor did either sex show differences in relapse-like self-administration after a 5-week abstinence period. Unexpectedly, presentation of the stress session odor cue did not alter alcohol self-administration behavior. Together, these data support heightened sensitivity of females to a trauma-like stressor, although in rats this decreased self-administration, contrary to human data.
{"title":"Sex differences in the impact of trauma on alcohol self-administration","authors":"Nabiha Mahmood , Marian L. Logrip","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Challenging encounters can lead to escalated alcohol consumption, as evidenced by individuals grappling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the precise influence of prior stress experiences, as opposed to acute stressors, on alcohol intake remains incompletely understood. This study sought to simulate the enduring repercussions of trauma using a stress paradigm involving foot shocks presented in an odor-enriched environment. The presence of a scent throughout contextual fear conditioning is more likely to cause stress effects to generalize across various environments, and this paradigm previously reduced working memory performance, one hallmark of PTSD. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to the stress or control condition (no foot shock), then trained to perform lever presses to obtain alcohol reinforcement. The findings revealed intriguing disparities between the sexes in past stress effects on the acquisition of alcohol self-administration. Specifically, female rats exhibited divergent patterns of alcohol acquisition across days, with the control group showing a swifter acquisition compared to their previously stressed counterparts. This pattern was not observed in males, nor did either sex show differences in relapse-like self-administration after a 5-week abstinence period. Unexpectedly, presentation of the stress session odor cue did not alter alcohol self-administration behavior. Together, these data support heightened sensitivity of females to a trauma-like stressor, although in rats this decreased self-administration, contrary to human data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 106-114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-20DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.005
Roman A. Zegarelli, Anna K. Radke
Excessive alcohol drinking and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are a significant and increasing public health concern in the United States and worldwide, with men historically having higher rates of alcohol consumption and AUD diagnoses. Despite this, the biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in these outcomes are not fully understood. Endocrine systems are critical regulators of behavior and testosterone has a bidirectional relationship with alcohol in males. Baseline levels of testosterone (T) may bias males toward approach behaviors that increase the tendency to engage in risky drinking behaviors in adolescent and adult men. At the same time, T appears to protect males (particularly rodents) against elevated levels of initial alcohol consumption. T levels also change with alcohol exposure, decreasing with acute and chronic use. This review synthesizes findings from both human and animal studies, highlighting how interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes may underlie male-specific patterns of alcohol use and risk for AUD. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for preclinical and clinical researchers conducting research in males and for the development of more effective interventions for AUD in men.
{"title":"Contributions of testosterone to excessive alcohol drinking in males: Potential role for interactions with the HPA axis","authors":"Roman A. Zegarelli, Anna K. Radke","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Excessive alcohol drinking and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are a significant and increasing public health concern in the United States and worldwide, with men historically having higher rates of alcohol consumption and AUD diagnoses. Despite this, the biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in these outcomes are not fully understood. Endocrine systems are critical regulators of behavior and testosterone has a bidirectional relationship with alcohol in males. Baseline levels of testosterone (T) may bias males toward approach behaviors that increase the tendency to engage in risky drinking behaviors in adolescent and adult men. At the same time, T appears to protect males (particularly rodents) against elevated levels of initial alcohol consumption. T levels also change with alcohol exposure, decreasing with acute and chronic use. This review synthesizes findings from both human and animal studies, highlighting how interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes may underlie male-specific patterns of alcohol use and risk for AUD. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for preclinical and clinical researchers conducting research in males and for the development of more effective interventions for AUD in men.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 92-105"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145118967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alcohol residual effects impose significant physiological and cognitive burdens due to acute ethanol exposure; however, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the role of acetaldehyde, the main ethanol metabolite, in driving mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic impairment during hangover onset. Using a mice model, we evaluated the effects of ethanol (3.8 g/kg) and the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) on brain cortex synaptosomes.
Ethanol exposure significantly elevated serum acetaldehyde compared with control (p < 0.05), and induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by impaired respiration (30 % decrease in basal O2 uptake vs. control), mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced ATP production (50 % decrease vs. control). These effects were mitigated by pre-treatment with 4-MP, which normalized acetaldehyde levels and partially restored mitochondrial function. Notably, ethanol downregulated synaptic proteins (nNOS, GluN2B, PSD-95; p < 0.05), but 4-MP failed to prevent this reduction, suggesting that acetaldehyde would not be involved in synaptic proteins alterations. Further, ethanol disrupted calcium homeostasis and nitric oxide (NO) content. Interestingly, 4-MP alone also reduced calcium uptake and NO content (p < 0.05), indicating potential off-target effects on neuronal signaling.
While the reduction in acetaldehyde levels preserved mitochondrial integrity, its inability to rescue synaptic protein loss highlights the complexity of hangover pathology, involving both acetaldehyde-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Our findings underscore acetaldehyde's pivotal role in hangover-associated mitochondrial dysfunction but reveal divergent pathways in synaptic impairment. These insights advance the search for targeted hangover therapies by delineating acetaldehyde-dependent toxicity.
由于急性乙醇暴露,酒精残留效应造成显著的生理和认知负担;然而,其潜在机制仍然知之甚少。本研究探讨了主要的乙醇代谢物乙醛在宿醉发作时驱动线粒体功能障碍和突触损伤中的作用。通过小鼠模型,我们评估了乙醇(3.8 g/kg)和乙醇脱氢酶抑制剂4-甲基吡唑(4-MP)对大脑皮层突触体的影响。与对照组相比,乙醇暴露显著升高血清乙醛(p2摄取与对照组相比),线粒体膜去极化和ATP生成减少(与对照组相比减少50%)。4-MP预处理可以减轻这些影响,使乙醛水平正常化,并部分恢复线粒体功能。值得注意的是,乙醇下调突触蛋白(nNOS, GluN2B, PSD-95; p
{"title":"Molecular mechanism underlying alcohol's residual effects: The role of acetaldehyde in mitochondrial dysfunction at synapses in mouse brain cortex","authors":"Analía G. Karadayian , Lautaro Carrere , Analia Czerniczyniec , Silvia Lores-Arnaiz","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alcohol residual effects impose significant physiological and cognitive burdens due to acute ethanol exposure; however, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the role of acetaldehyde, the main ethanol metabolite, in driving mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic impairment during hangover onset. Using a mice model, we evaluated the effects of ethanol (3.8 g/kg) and the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) on brain cortex synaptosomes.</div><div>Ethanol exposure significantly elevated serum acetaldehyde compared with control (p < 0.05), and induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by impaired respiration (30 % decrease in basal O<sub>2</sub> uptake vs. control), mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced ATP production (50 % decrease vs. control). These effects were mitigated by pre-treatment with 4-MP, which normalized acetaldehyde levels and partially restored mitochondrial function. Notably, ethanol downregulated synaptic proteins (nNOS, GluN2B, PSD-95; p < 0.05), but 4-MP failed to prevent this reduction, suggesting that acetaldehyde would not be involved in synaptic proteins alterations. Further, ethanol disrupted calcium homeostasis and nitric oxide (NO) content. Interestingly, 4-MP alone also reduced calcium uptake and NO content (p < 0.05), indicating potential off-target effects on neuronal signaling.</div><div>While the reduction in acetaldehyde levels preserved mitochondrial integrity, its inability to rescue synaptic protein loss highlights the complexity of hangover pathology, involving both acetaldehyde-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Our findings underscore acetaldehyde's pivotal role in hangover-associated mitochondrial dysfunction but reveal divergent pathways in synaptic impairment. These insights advance the search for targeted hangover therapies by delineating acetaldehyde-dependent toxicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 79-91"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145092869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.003
Mitchell A. Nothem, Christine M. Side, Simon C. Tran, Anaahat Brar, Lauren A. Buck, Jacqueline M. Barker
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and chronic pain are complex and debilitating conditions that are highly comorbid. Greater than 50 % of individuals with AUD have chronic pain. Clinical data suggest that people with chronic pain are more likely to report using alcohol to manage chronic pain, and that magnitude of pain is correlated with relapse probability after a period of abstinence. These data led to the hypothesis that pain can drive ethanol seeking and reinstatement in a rodent model of chronic neuropathic pain. A conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm was used to model ethanol seeking in male C57BL6J mice with a spared nerve injury (SNI). Mice were conditioned with doses of ethanol previously found to reverse pain behavior (0.5 g/kg). Mice with and without SNI showed similar magnitudes of ethanol CPP and rates of extinction. To investigate pain-induced relapse-related behavior, mice underwent reinstatement testing following painful mechanical stimulation which was delivered at either a “moderate” or “high” intensity immediately prior to return to the CPP apparatus. “Moderate” painful hindpaw stimulation reinstated ethanol seeking behavior in SNI-injured, but not sham, mice, while “high” intensity stimulation reinstated ethanol seeking in mice regardless of injury status. These data suggest that males in chronic pain are more susceptible reinstatement of ethanol seeking following a painful experience.
{"title":"Chronic pain increases sensitivity to pain-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking in male mice","authors":"Mitchell A. Nothem, Christine M. Side, Simon C. Tran, Anaahat Brar, Lauren A. Buck, Jacqueline M. Barker","doi":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.alcohol.2025.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and chronic pain are complex and debilitating conditions that are highly comorbid. Greater than 50 % of individuals with AUD have chronic pain. Clinical data suggest that people with chronic pain are more likely to report using alcohol to manage chronic pain, and that magnitude of pain is correlated with relapse probability after a period of abstinence. These data led to the hypothesis that pain can drive ethanol seeking and reinstatement in a rodent model of chronic neuropathic pain. A conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm was used to model ethanol seeking in male C57BL6J mice with a spared nerve injury (SNI). Mice were conditioned with doses of ethanol previously found to reverse pain behavior (0.5 g/kg). Mice with and without SNI showed similar magnitudes of ethanol CPP and rates of extinction. To investigate pain-induced relapse-related behavior, mice underwent reinstatement testing following painful mechanical stimulation which was delivered at either a “moderate” or “high” intensity immediately prior to return to the CPP apparatus. “Moderate” painful hindpaw stimulation reinstated ethanol seeking behavior in SNI-injured, but not sham, mice, while “high” intensity stimulation reinstated ethanol seeking in mice regardless of injury status. These data suggest that males in chronic pain are more susceptible reinstatement of ethanol seeking following a painful experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7712,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol","volume":"129 ","pages":"Pages 69-78"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145093341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}