Beta Endorphin and Alcohol Urge Responses in Alcoholic Patients Following an Acute Bout of Exercise

Objective: To examine the effects of low intensity exercise on beta endorphin (β-Ε) levels and urge for alcohol in alcoholic patients. Methods: Nine alcoholic patients (M= 41.2 + 6.7 yrs) and 9 healthy controls (M=38.2 + 10.7 yrs) exercised for 30 minutes at a low intensity (61.1 + 4.9 % of their maximum heart rate). Blood was collected prior to and immediately following exercise and was analyzed for a complete blood count (CBC), β-E and lactic acid. Furthermore, an alcohol urge questionnaire was filled by the subjects prior to and immediately following exercise. Results: Data analysis revealed that β-E levels were significantly lower in alcoholic patients whereas exercise resulted in significant (p< .001) increases in β-Ε (pre: 1.57 + 0.39 pmol/L, post: 4.8 + 1.6 pmol/L) only in alcoholic patients. Lactic acid increased significantly in both groups. There was a 17% decrease in alcohol urge in alcoholic patients without however this difference being significant. No differences in the parameters assessed through the CBC were seen between the two groups whereas exercise resulted in significant increases in red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit in both groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that a bout of low intensity exercise affects the endogenous opioids in alcoholic patients.