Structural chromatin alterations in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcohol-dependent individuals during detoxification therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the state of chromatin condensation in peripheral blood leukocytes of alcoholics, during the early detoxification period, in order to highlight structural modifications, indicating epigenetic mechanisms regulated by alcohol. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood samples were obtained from alcoholic patients, who were admitted for detoxification on an inpatient basis, and from healthy controls. The level of condensed heterochromatin and de-condensed euchromatin were detected through the ratio of lysine to arginine residues, by the application of the ammoniacal silver reaction (ASR) staining on leukocyte pellets, and through immunohistochemical localization of histone H1 on peripheral blood smears. RESULTS Lymphocytes and neutrophils with relaxed de-condensed chromatin were found, indicating a more reactive genome in alcoholics, even at the stage of detoxification. CONCLUSION The results underline the importance of chromatin structure of leukocytes as a sensitive, peripheral, biological marker for epigenetic studies in living chronic alcoholics.