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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2017, 19, N3 (pages: 5 - 10)

Association between Serum Concentrations of Natriuretic Peptides and Perceived Withdrawal Symptoms in Opiate Maintenance

Schuster R., Glahn A., Heberlein A., Rehme M.-K., Kleimann A., Lichtinghagen R., Koopmann A., Bleich S., and Hillemacher T.

Summary: Background: Volume-regulation peptides indirectly influence the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and thereby also the strength of craving, withdrawal symptoms and the potential risk of relapse. Aims: The primary objective of the present study was to examine the serum levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) in patients undergoing different opiate-based maintenance treatments. Methods: We compared two groups of patients receiving levomethadone (n=55) or else diamorphine (n=28) treatment, with a third, healthy control group (n=51). Results: We found a potential association between withdrawal symptoms measured with the Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) and serum levels of ANP and BNP in opiate-addicted patients undergoing diamorphine maintenance treatment. Conclusions: Differently from methadone maintenance, diamorphine seems to be unable to suppress natriuretic peptides levels, which, in our patients, reflect the amount of opioid withdrawal symptomatology.