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Aims: Alcohol dependence is commonly investigated in relation to modification of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Our hypothesis is that alcohol dependence could also involve more peripheral mechanisms and especially gut-brain interactions. Our first goal was to test whether intestinal permeability, LPS and cytokines are increased in alcohol dependent subjects and recover after withdrawal. Our second goal was to test correlations between the biological and the behavioral variables to explore the possible role of gut-brain axis in alcoholism. Methods: 40 alcohol-dependent-subjects hospitalized for detoxification program were tested both at onset (T1) and end (T2) of withdrawal and compared for biological and behavioral markers with a control group. Participants were evaluated for gut permeability, LPS, systemic inflammation (TNFα, IL-6, IL-10) and stress (Cortisol) and for depression, anxiety, alcohol craving. Results: Intestinal permeability and LPS that were largely increased in alcohol-dependent subjects at T1 recovered completely at T2. A low-grade inflammation was observed at T1 and we found that cytokines were positively correlated with depression and craving. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was negatively correlated with depression and craving Conclusion: Leaky gut-induced inflammation is correlated to emotions and craving for alcohol. We can therefore consider that gut-brain axis may play a significant role in alcoholic pathology. Moreover, IL-10 could be a protective factor in relation to emotional disturbances and relapse probability. It would be interesting to test pro or prebiotics that are known to improve the composition of gut microbiota and restore the gut barrier to reduce inflammation, depression and craving in alcohol-dependence.
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Leclercq, S., Cani, P., Neyrinck, A., de Timary, P., & Delzenne, N. (2011). Role of intestinal permeability and inflammation in the biological and behavioral control of alcohol-dependent subjects. Belgian Nutrition Society, Brussels, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/202036