Disturbances of volume regulating
peptides like
vasopressin and
atrial natriuretic peptide (
ANP) have been described in early abstinent patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate possible alterations of the promoter-related DNA methylation of the
ANP and
vasopressin precursor genes and the related
mRNA-expression of these genes in early alcohol withdrawal. We analyzed blood samples of 57 healthy controls and of 111 patients suffering from
alcohol dependence that were admitted for detoxification treatment. Promoter-related DNA methylation and
mRNA-expression of
vasopressin and
ANP genes were assessed using real-time PCR.
Vasopressin mRNA-expression was not statistically different between patients and controls. However, we found a significantly elevated promoter-related DNA methylation of the
vasopressin gene in patients with
alcohol dependence (Mann-Whitney U-test: Z=-2.178, p=0.029).
ANP mRNA-expression was significantly elevated in alcoholic patients (Z=-6.240, p<0.001) while promoter-related DNA methylation of
ANP was significantly decreased (Z=-2.282, p=0.023). Furthermore, promoter-related DNA methylation of
ANP was significantly correlated to the extent of craving measured with the OCDS (r=-0.197, p=0.040). The findings of the present study show significant alterations of the
mRNA-expression and promoter-related DNA methylation of
vasopressin and especially
ANP precursor genes in patients with
alcohol dependence. Further studies focusing on longitudinal changes of epigenetic regulation and gene expression of both
peptides are needed to clarify the pathophysiological role of these findings.