Microelement Composition of Hair in Patients with Psychoactive Substance Dependence Syndrome at the Rehabilitation and Relapse-Prevention Stage

Background: Currently, the primary laboratory profile of trace element status in individuals consuming alcohol and other psychoactive substances, as well as the main mechanisms and consequences of these changes, is well understood. It substantiates the need for further research development for assessing the potential to monitoring the development and progression of dependence syndrome and evaluating the effectiveness of therapy and rehabilitation.
Objective: To characterize the features of the trace element composition of hair in patients with alcohol and psychostimulant dependence syndrome during the first three months of the rehabilitation period.
Materials and methods: The study involved three groups of subjects, including a group of 30 healthy volunteers. The second group (n=35) consisted of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome, the third group (n=31) included patients with psychostimulant dependence syndrome. Biological samples were collected at two stages of the study: upon admission of patients to a medical and preventive institution for rehabilitation and 3 months after its start. The trace element composition in subjects’ hair was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
Results: At baseline, patients with alcohol dependence syndrome were characterized by a 2.0-fold decrease in calcium levels and a 2.7-fold increase in manganese levels in their hair. Three months after the start of rehabilitation, calcium levels increased to within the control range. Iron concentration increased 4.1-fold relative to baseline. Manganese levels remained elevated with a 3.6-fold increase. In patients with psychostimulant dependence syndrome, manganese levels were elevated 2.7-fold at baseline and 4.7-fold after three months. Distribution of the second group into subgroups made it possible to establish that in the abstinent subgroup from alcohol consumption, the baseline iron levels were 3.4 times higher, and zinc levels were 23% higher compared to the subgroup of individuals who experienced ethanol relapse.
Conclusions: Patients with psychoactive substance dependence syndrome were characterized by high manganese concentrations, otherwise, the laboratory profile was similar to control values. A detailed analysis revealed that the onset of alcohol relapse was associated with reduced levels of iron and zinc in hair.

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