Enzyme promotes alcohol and tobacco addiction

Nicotine and tobacco addiction are caused by the same enzyme

13/09/2011

Alcohol and nicotine are the most common addictive substances in European countries. Often, alcohol addicts also tend to consume more tobacco - and vice versa. The reason for this is Anna M. Lee of „Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center“ and Robert Q. Messing of the „University of California, San Francisco“ According to a special enzyme that simultaneously increases susceptibility to alcohol and tobacco addiction.

The scientists discovered in animal experiments an enzyme that promotes both alcohol and nicotine addiction. By turning off the so-called protein kinase C epsilon in mice, the animals developed no alcohol or tobacco addiction, the researchers report in the US journal „Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences“ (PNAS). The discovery suggests that dependence on alcohol and tobacco can be alleviated in the same way. In addition, the discovery of US scientists also offers a possible explanation for the relatively common occurrence of a so-called double addiction to tobacco and alcohol.

Like the scientists in the trade magazine „PNAS“ report that the development of alcohol or tobacco addiction was completely prevented in animal experiments by switching off the enzyme protein kinase C epsilon. According to the US researchers, the body's own enzyme presumably regulates the reward system in the brain and is therefore directly linked to the occurrence of possible addictions. Through the development of appropriate enzyme inhibitors, both alcoholic addicts and tobacco addicts may be assisted with drug treatment in the future, said Anne Lee and Robert Q. Messing.

According to the Federal Government's 2011 Addiction Report, more than a million new people in Germany regularly drink too much alcohol, and 1.3 million people are alcohol dependent. In addition, nearly 140,000 people die each year as a result of their tobacco addiction, with a large proportion of deaths caused by cancer. For example, lung, pharyngeal, liver and pancreatic cancers are among the possible consequences of tobacco use. A drug that can outwit the reward system in the brain and the addictive feeling can be alleviated, could significantly facilitate the weaner weaning and thus contribute to a significant reduction in the corresponding sequelae, said the US scientists. (Fp)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann