Plasma Orexin-A Concentrations And Its Correlation With Withdrawal Symptoms In Male Methamphetamine Users

Objective:To identify the alterations of orexin-A concentrations in different periods of withdrawal,as well as the link of orexin-A concentrations to withdrawal-related symptoms in male METH users.Methods:A total of 76 METH users and 35 controls were enrolled in this study.The METH users were divided into three groups,including group 1(abstinence within 1 week,n=23),group 2(abstinence between 1 week and 3 months,n=38),and group 3(abstinence over 3 months,n=15).The plasma orexin-A concentrations were measured at baseline and follow-up one month later.Self-report questionnaires(anxiety,depression,craving and quality of sleep)were collected at two points to track the withdrawal symptoms of METH users.The control group completed plasma OXA concentrations at baseline of enrollment only.Results:(1)At baseline,the OXA concentrations of study group was significantly lower than control group(P<0.01);the OXA concentrations of groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than control group(P<0.01),and no significant difference between group 3 and control group(P>0.05);the OXA concentrations of group 1 was significantly lower than group 3(P<0.05);HAMA scores of group 1 were significantly higher than group 2(P<0.05),and HAMD scores of group 1 were significantly higher than group 3(P<0.05).The VAS scores and PSQI scores of group 1 were significantly higher than groups 2 and 3(P<0.05).Besides,the OXA concentrations was positively correlated with depression(r=0.557,P<0.05)and anxiety(r=0.536,P<0.05)in group 1.(2)One month later,the OXA concentrations of study group was significantly lower than control group(p<0.05).The OXA levels of groups 1,2 and 3 were significantly lower than control group(P<0.05);There was no significant difference among study groups(P>0.05);HAMA and HAMD scores of group 1 were significantly higher than those of group 3(P<0.05);the OXA concentrations of study group significantly increased(p<0.05);The orexin-A concentrations of group 2 significantly increased(p<0.05),while no significant change in those of groups 1 and 3 were observed(p>0.05).HAMA score and HAMD score of groups 1,2 and 3 were significantly lower than those on day 1(P<0.05);VAS scores of groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those of the first day of enrollment(P<0.01);PSQI score of group 1 was significantly decreased compared with day 1(P<0.05).Conclusion:(1)The reduction in OXA concentrations was temporary during the initial abstinence phase and gradually returned to near normal with one month abstinence in male METH users.(2)The level of OXA was positively correlated with anxiety and depression within 1 week of abstinence phase.