Increased serum homocysteine levels and glutathione-S-transferase activities in alcoholic patients attending de-addiction centre

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heavy alcohol consumption on serum Malondialdehyde, homocysteine status and glutathione-S -transferase (GST) activities in alcoholics consuming illicit liquor from lower socioeconomic background attending deaddiction centre. The study was conducted in ninety alcoholic patients consuming illicit liquor from lower socio-economic background attending de-addiction centre and compared to healthy non alcoholic controls (n=90). Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), serum homocysteine and activities of antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S - transferase (GST) were estimated. Alcoholics consuming illicit liquor attending de-addiction centre displayed significantly higher values of serum MDA concentration, serum homocysteine levels and serum GST activities as compared to their non alcoholic healthy controls belonging to the same socio-economic background. Our results indicate that increase in serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration marker of oxidative stress, serum homocysteine levels and serum glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities may enhance the susceptibility to vascular diseases in heavy illicit drinkers with poor nutritional status