- Email: [email protected]
P.6.a.013 Decision making, impulsivity and personality traits in alcohol dependent subjects
P.6.a Addiction - Alcohol (clinical)
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neuropathy and vascular disease (as estimated on brain CT-scan) accounted for persistent sexual dysfunction after detoxification. The presence of anxiety and depression secondary to alcohol abuse were associated with a reduced sexual desire but not with ejaculation and erectile problems (ns). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is very frequent (62%) in alcohol dependent men as shown by the results of our study. Unexpectedly, after controlling for age neither quantity nor duration of abuse was associated with erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation and frequency of sexual intercourse seemed to be more affected by alcohol abuse, whereas sexual desire and stimulation remained unaffected. The majority of detoxified men reported an improvement in sexual functioning after detoxification. Also the presence of anxiety and symptoms of depression secondary to alcohol abuse may be related with a reduced sexual desire although not with ejaculation problems and erectile dysfunction. References
[1] Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, Osterloh IH, Kirkpatrick J, Mishra A. 1997 The international index of erectile function (lIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction Urology. 49(6):822-30.
1P.6.a.0121 Public view of mental illness and alcohol abuse in Slovenia B. Avgustin1 ., R. Kobentar1 , B. Novak Sarotar1 , M. Radovanovic 1, M. Zorko2 . 1 University Psychiatric Hospital, University Psychiatric Hospital, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Institute of health, Institute of health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Objectives: Studies suggest that the majority of citizens in the United States [1] and many Western European nations [2] have stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness. Although stigmatizing attitudes are not limited to mental illness, the public seems to disapprove persons with psychiatric disabilities significantly more than persons with related conditions such as physical illness. Research among adults has yielded three sets of conclusions about the stigma of mental illness. First, people with mental illness are stigmatized more severely than those with physical health conditions; those who abuse alcohol are viewed more harshly than those with mental illness [3]. The aim of our study was to evaluate the public attitude towards mental illness in Slovenia. Methods: A total of 171 people completed a short version of the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ) that presented three vignettes, each describing a different type of patient: a patient with schizophrenia, with alcohol abuse problems and patient with leukemia. The AQ comprises seven Likert scale items of agreement that research participants rated for each vignette. Items included pity, danger, fear, responsibility, anger, help, and avoidance. According to the model, people who are viewed to be personally responsible for a condition like mental illness are usually viewed angrily and unlikely to receive help from others. Conversely, people who are viewed to not be responsible for their mental illness, are viewed with pity and are offered help. People with mental illness who are viewed to be dangerous are feared and are recommended to be avoided and segregated from the normal population. Oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the differences in the means between different patient groups. Results: The sample consisted of 171 participants from general public, 116 females (percent) and 55 males in age from 18 to 80 years (mean±SD age, 38.7±13.9 years). All subjects
included were Caucasians. Slovenian public tended to discriminate among different conditions, viewing substance abuse more harshly than psychosis, patients with leukemia were treated more benignly than the other groups. In sununary score, alcohol abuse (40.39±1O.56) was stigmatized statistically significantly more than schizophrenia (23.83±8) and leukemia (14.54±6.6). In summary score, schizophrenia was stigmatized statistically significantly more than leukemia. Alcohol abuse was stigmatized more than schizophrenia, which was stigmatized more than leukemia for pity, dangerousness, fear, responsibility, segregation, anger and avoidance. Conclusions: According to our results Slovenian public tended to stigmatized people who abuse alcohol most severely, followed by those who have schizophrenia. Patients with somatic illness, leukemia were treated more benignly than the other groups. According to the model, patients who abuse alcohol were viewed to be personally responsible for a condition illness were viewed angrily and unlikely to receive help from others. Conversely, patients with somatic illness, leukemia were viewed to not be responsible for their mental illness. They were viewed with pity and people were offer them help. People with alcohol abuse and schizophrenia were viewed to be dangerous are feared and, as a consequence, to be avoided and segregated from the normal population. References [1] Link B.G., 1987 Understanding labeling effects in the area of mental disorders: an assessment of the effects of expectations of rejection. Am Socio1 Rev 52, 96-112. [2] Bhugra D., 1989 Attitudes toward mental illness: a review of the literature. Acta Psychiatr Scand 80, 1-12. [3] Corrigan P.w., River L.P., Lundin R.K., 2000 Stigmatizing attributions about mental illness. J Comrnun Psycho128, 91-103.
1P.6.a.0131 Decision making, impulsivity and personality traits in alcohol dependent subjects F. Struglia1 , A. Tomassini/, P. Stratta', D. Spaziani", A. Rossi5 • . 1 University of L'Aquila, Residency Program in Clinical Psychology, L'Aquila, Italy; 2 University ofL'Aquila, Experimental Medicine Department, L'Aquila, Italy; 3ASL 4 - L'Aquila, Department ofMental Health, L'Aquila, Italy; 4ASL 4 - L'Aquila, Drug Addiction Unit, L'Aquila, Italy; 5 University of L'Aquila, Experimental Medicine Department, L'Aquila, Italy The term 'decision making' indicates the aspects of executive functions related to the ability to modulate the reward and punishment perception, in order to operate advantageous choices [1]. Subjects with alcoholism exhibit poor decision making and high level of impulsivity [2]. This study assesses the relationship between decision making ability, as measured by Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), and impulsivity and others temperamental and character traits in a long-term abstinent alcohol dependent sample. Twenty-four abstinent alcohol dependent subjects (males 20, females 4), referred to a Drug Addiction Unit of the National Health Service of U Aquila were assessed, using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-l25 items (TCI-l25). The mean age was 44.53 (8.66 SD) years and educational level was 9.03 years (2.52 SD). 13 control subjects (males 8, females 5) were recruited from general population and assessed with IGT only (age 41.38 years +11.10 SD; educational level 12.23 years + 3.44 SD).
P.6.b Addiction - Alcohol (basic) In the alcohol sample, the mean of months of alcohol abstinence were 13.85 months (+22.90 SD). To compare demographic variables, independent samples t-test was used. The categorical variables (e.g. gender) were compared using the chi-square test. We analysed IGT net score using Group x Trial Blocks 2 way repeated-measures ANOVA with Group as between-subjects factor (i.e, alcohol vs controls), block (5 blocks of 20 cards) as within-subjects factor, and net score as the dependent measure. To assess correlations between IGT net-score and TCI-125 and BIS-ll mean scores, Pearson Product Moment (r) coefficients were computed. All analyses yielding a p value less than 0.05 were considered significant. The clinical and the control samples significantly differ in their performance on the IGT, the former making disadvantageous choices in the task leading to lower scores. The total IGT net score was lower in the subjects with alcoholism than controls (-3.67+11.61 vs 21.08+31.60, t=-3.46; P < 0.001). The 2 way repeated-measures ANOVA analysis showed significant between subjects (i.e. diagnosis: F = 11.97, P < 0.001), within-subjects (i.e, block choices: F= 10.12; P <0.0005) and interaction (F=2.95; p < 0.025) effects. Univariated ANOVA comparing the net scores in the five blocks showed significant differences in the second and the last two blocks. These findings indicate that, as the task progressed, control subjects showed a clear learning effect and shifted their card choices to low risks decks. We found only a significant correlation between IGT total score and the BIS factor Non-Planning Impulsivity (F-.417; p < 0.05). No correlations were seen between abstinence duration and the studies variables. The alcoholic subjects, show difficulties to learn the strategies hidden in the task and/or to act upon this knowledge to shift their pattern of choices toward the advantageous decks. Decision making performance is related to Non-Planning Impulsivity on HIS-II but not with other impulsivity factors and personality traits. The decision making abilities may be a partially overlapping construct with psychologically and psychometrically defined impulsivity.
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bioavailable drugs has been a major limitation in its investigation. The recent identification of non-peptide GAL3 receptor antagonists (SNAP 37889 and SNAP 398299), which are brain penetrant, has identified the GAL3 receptor as the mediator of anxiogenic and depressive effects of galanin [1]. It is well established that anxiety and depression may be contributing factors involved in alcoholism and therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of new bioavailable GAL3 antagonists to impact upon voluntary ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring (iP) rats. iP rats voluntarily self-administer ethanol and show high levels of trait anxiety. To examine operant self-administration of oral ethanol by iP rats (n = 12), operant chambers supplied by Med Associates were employed. Rat were trained so they could lever press for a reward, either 10% v/v ethanol or water under a fixed ratio requirement of 3 (FR3, 3 lever presses constituted one reward). Once base-line responding levels were established, rats received no injection (NoI), vehicle (5% DMSO and 1% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in saline, Iml/kg, i.p.) or SNAP 37889 (3, 10, 30mg/kg, i.p.) 60 minutes prior to operant responding. SNAP 37889 was synthesised as previously described [2]. A two-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences for the number of rewards in the total session time (20 minutes) or during the time course of the session (every 5 minutes) between the NoI, vehicle or groups treated with different doses of SNAP 37889. However, a clear preference for responding for ethanol over water can be seen in rats that received NoI, (I8±2 rewards for ethanol versus 4±0.7 rewards for water, p < 0.001), vehicle (I7±2 rewards for ethanol versus 3±0.9 rewards for water, p < 0.001) and SNAP 37889 at doses of3 (I5±3 rewards for ethanol versus 5±2 rewards for water, p < 0.05) and 10 (I8±4 rewards for ethanol versus 4±I rewards for water, p < 0.001) mg/kg, i.p. This preference to respond for ethanol was lost following 1 hour pre-treatment with SNAP 37889 at a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.p. (8±2 rewards for ethanol versus 6±2 rewards for water, p>0.05). These data show potential for the GAL3 receptor antagonist, SNAP 37889, to impact upon ethanol preference in iP rats and represent an avenue for further research into pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcoholism.
References
[1] Ernest, M., Paulus, M.P., 2005 Neurobiology of decision making: a selective review from a neurocognitive and clinical perspective. Biol Psychiatry 58, 597-604. [2] Bechara, A., Damasio, H., 2002 Decision-making and addiction (part I): impaired activation of somatic states in substance dependent individuals when pondering decisions with negative future consequences. Neuropsychologia, 40 (10), 1675-1689.
References
P.6.b Addiction - Alcohol (basic)
1P.6.b.0021 Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)
1P.6.b.0011 The galanin-3 antagonist, SNAP37889, reduces preference for operant-responding for ethanol in alcohol-preferring iP rats E. Djourna1 ., Al Lawrence/, S.D. Zanatta'', S.l Williams3 . 1 La Trobe University, School ofHuman Biosciences, Melbourne, Australia; 2 University of Melbourne, Howard Florey Institute, Melbourne, Australia; 3 University of Melbourne, School of Chemistry and Bi021 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Melbourne, Australia Galanin is a neuropeptide traditionally associated with influencing diet and feeding behaviour. More recently, pharmacological studies have suggested a role for galanin in affective behaviour and alcohol-seeking in rat models; however the lack of appropriate
[1] Swanson, C.l et. al., 2005 Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like profiles of the galanin-3 receptor (Gal3) antagonists SNAP 37889 an SNAP 398299. Proc Nat! Acad Sci USA 102, 17489-17494. [2] Konkel, M.l et. al., 2006 3-Arylimino-2-indolones Are Potent and Selective Galanin GAL3 Receptor Antagonists. J Med Chern 49, 37573758.
concentration among alcohol dependent inpatient women B. Augustynska1 , A Araszkiewicz/, M. Dabkowska2 . , A Wozniak3 , E. Oglodek'', G. Odrowaz-Sypniewska", W. Kosmowski-, M. Kuligowska". 1L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department of Psychiatry Nursing, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department of Psychiatry, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, The Chair of Medical Biology, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department ofLaboratory Medicine, Bydgoszcz, Poland Chronic alcohol abuse by human beings has been shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to infections and diseases.
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neuropathy and vascular disease (as estimated on brain CT-scan) accounted for persistent sexual dysfunction after detoxification. The presence of anxiety and depression secondary to alcohol abuse were associated with a reduced sexual desire but not with ejaculation and erectile problems (ns). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is very frequent (62%) in alcohol dependent men as shown by the results of our study. Unexpectedly, after controlling for age neither quantity nor duration of abuse was associated with erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation and frequency of sexual intercourse seemed to be more affected by alcohol abuse, whereas sexual desire and stimulation remained unaffected. The majority of detoxified men reported an improvement in sexual functioning after detoxification. Also the presence of anxiety and symptoms of depression secondary to alcohol abuse may be related with a reduced sexual desire although not with ejaculation problems and erectile dysfunction. References
[1] Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, Osterloh IH, Kirkpatrick J, Mishra A. 1997 The international index of erectile function (lIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction Urology. 49(6):822-30.
1P.6.a.0121 Public view of mental illness and alcohol abuse in Slovenia B. Avgustin1 ., R. Kobentar1 , B. Novak Sarotar1 , M. Radovanovic 1, M. Zorko2 . 1 University Psychiatric Hospital, University Psychiatric Hospital, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Institute of health, Institute of health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Objectives: Studies suggest that the majority of citizens in the United States [1] and many Western European nations [2] have stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness. Although stigmatizing attitudes are not limited to mental illness, the public seems to disapprove persons with psychiatric disabilities significantly more than persons with related conditions such as physical illness. Research among adults has yielded three sets of conclusions about the stigma of mental illness. First, people with mental illness are stigmatized more severely than those with physical health conditions; those who abuse alcohol are viewed more harshly than those with mental illness [3]. The aim of our study was to evaluate the public attitude towards mental illness in Slovenia. Methods: A total of 171 people completed a short version of the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ) that presented three vignettes, each describing a different type of patient: a patient with schizophrenia, with alcohol abuse problems and patient with leukemia. The AQ comprises seven Likert scale items of agreement that research participants rated for each vignette. Items included pity, danger, fear, responsibility, anger, help, and avoidance. According to the model, people who are viewed to be personally responsible for a condition like mental illness are usually viewed angrily and unlikely to receive help from others. Conversely, people who are viewed to not be responsible for their mental illness, are viewed with pity and are offered help. People with mental illness who are viewed to be dangerous are feared and are recommended to be avoided and segregated from the normal population. Oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the differences in the means between different patient groups. Results: The sample consisted of 171 participants from general public, 116 females (percent) and 55 males in age from 18 to 80 years (mean±SD age, 38.7±13.9 years). All subjects
included were Caucasians. Slovenian public tended to discriminate among different conditions, viewing substance abuse more harshly than psychosis, patients with leukemia were treated more benignly than the other groups. In sununary score, alcohol abuse (40.39±1O.56) was stigmatized statistically significantly more than schizophrenia (23.83±8) and leukemia (14.54±6.6). In summary score, schizophrenia was stigmatized statistically significantly more than leukemia. Alcohol abuse was stigmatized more than schizophrenia, which was stigmatized more than leukemia for pity, dangerousness, fear, responsibility, segregation, anger and avoidance. Conclusions: According to our results Slovenian public tended to stigmatized people who abuse alcohol most severely, followed by those who have schizophrenia. Patients with somatic illness, leukemia were treated more benignly than the other groups. According to the model, patients who abuse alcohol were viewed to be personally responsible for a condition illness were viewed angrily and unlikely to receive help from others. Conversely, patients with somatic illness, leukemia were viewed to not be responsible for their mental illness. They were viewed with pity and people were offer them help. People with alcohol abuse and schizophrenia were viewed to be dangerous are feared and, as a consequence, to be avoided and segregated from the normal population. References [1] Link B.G., 1987 Understanding labeling effects in the area of mental disorders: an assessment of the effects of expectations of rejection. Am Socio1 Rev 52, 96-112. [2] Bhugra D., 1989 Attitudes toward mental illness: a review of the literature. Acta Psychiatr Scand 80, 1-12. [3] Corrigan P.w., River L.P., Lundin R.K., 2000 Stigmatizing attributions about mental illness. J Comrnun Psycho128, 91-103.
1P.6.a.0131 Decision making, impulsivity and personality traits in alcohol dependent subjects F. Struglia1 , A. Tomassini/, P. Stratta', D. Spaziani", A. Rossi5 • . 1 University of L'Aquila, Residency Program in Clinical Psychology, L'Aquila, Italy; 2 University ofL'Aquila, Experimental Medicine Department, L'Aquila, Italy; 3ASL 4 - L'Aquila, Department ofMental Health, L'Aquila, Italy; 4ASL 4 - L'Aquila, Drug Addiction Unit, L'Aquila, Italy; 5 University of L'Aquila, Experimental Medicine Department, L'Aquila, Italy The term 'decision making' indicates the aspects of executive functions related to the ability to modulate the reward and punishment perception, in order to operate advantageous choices [1]. Subjects with alcoholism exhibit poor decision making and high level of impulsivity [2]. This study assesses the relationship between decision making ability, as measured by Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), and impulsivity and others temperamental and character traits in a long-term abstinent alcohol dependent sample. Twenty-four abstinent alcohol dependent subjects (males 20, females 4), referred to a Drug Addiction Unit of the National Health Service of U Aquila were assessed, using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-l25 items (TCI-l25). The mean age was 44.53 (8.66 SD) years and educational level was 9.03 years (2.52 SD). 13 control subjects (males 8, females 5) were recruited from general population and assessed with IGT only (age 41.38 years +11.10 SD; educational level 12.23 years + 3.44 SD).
P.6.b Addiction - Alcohol (basic) In the alcohol sample, the mean of months of alcohol abstinence were 13.85 months (+22.90 SD). To compare demographic variables, independent samples t-test was used. The categorical variables (e.g. gender) were compared using the chi-square test. We analysed IGT net score using Group x Trial Blocks 2 way repeated-measures ANOVA with Group as between-subjects factor (i.e, alcohol vs controls), block (5 blocks of 20 cards) as within-subjects factor, and net score as the dependent measure. To assess correlations between IGT net-score and TCI-125 and BIS-ll mean scores, Pearson Product Moment (r) coefficients were computed. All analyses yielding a p value less than 0.05 were considered significant. The clinical and the control samples significantly differ in their performance on the IGT, the former making disadvantageous choices in the task leading to lower scores. The total IGT net score was lower in the subjects with alcoholism than controls (-3.67+11.61 vs 21.08+31.60, t=-3.46; P < 0.001). The 2 way repeated-measures ANOVA analysis showed significant between subjects (i.e. diagnosis: F = 11.97, P < 0.001), within-subjects (i.e, block choices: F= 10.12; P <0.0005) and interaction (F=2.95; p < 0.025) effects. Univariated ANOVA comparing the net scores in the five blocks showed significant differences in the second and the last two blocks. These findings indicate that, as the task progressed, control subjects showed a clear learning effect and shifted their card choices to low risks decks. We found only a significant correlation between IGT total score and the BIS factor Non-Planning Impulsivity (F-.417; p < 0.05). No correlations were seen between abstinence duration and the studies variables. The alcoholic subjects, show difficulties to learn the strategies hidden in the task and/or to act upon this knowledge to shift their pattern of choices toward the advantageous decks. Decision making performance is related to Non-Planning Impulsivity on HIS-II but not with other impulsivity factors and personality traits. The decision making abilities may be a partially overlapping construct with psychologically and psychometrically defined impulsivity.
S643
bioavailable drugs has been a major limitation in its investigation. The recent identification of non-peptide GAL3 receptor antagonists (SNAP 37889 and SNAP 398299), which are brain penetrant, has identified the GAL3 receptor as the mediator of anxiogenic and depressive effects of galanin [1]. It is well established that anxiety and depression may be contributing factors involved in alcoholism and therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of new bioavailable GAL3 antagonists to impact upon voluntary ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring (iP) rats. iP rats voluntarily self-administer ethanol and show high levels of trait anxiety. To examine operant self-administration of oral ethanol by iP rats (n = 12), operant chambers supplied by Med Associates were employed. Rat were trained so they could lever press for a reward, either 10% v/v ethanol or water under a fixed ratio requirement of 3 (FR3, 3 lever presses constituted one reward). Once base-line responding levels were established, rats received no injection (NoI), vehicle (5% DMSO and 1% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in saline, Iml/kg, i.p.) or SNAP 37889 (3, 10, 30mg/kg, i.p.) 60 minutes prior to operant responding. SNAP 37889 was synthesised as previously described [2]. A two-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences for the number of rewards in the total session time (20 minutes) or during the time course of the session (every 5 minutes) between the NoI, vehicle or groups treated with different doses of SNAP 37889. However, a clear preference for responding for ethanol over water can be seen in rats that received NoI, (I8±2 rewards for ethanol versus 4±0.7 rewards for water, p < 0.001), vehicle (I7±2 rewards for ethanol versus 3±0.9 rewards for water, p < 0.001) and SNAP 37889 at doses of3 (I5±3 rewards for ethanol versus 5±2 rewards for water, p < 0.05) and 10 (I8±4 rewards for ethanol versus 4±I rewards for water, p < 0.001) mg/kg, i.p. This preference to respond for ethanol was lost following 1 hour pre-treatment with SNAP 37889 at a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.p. (8±2 rewards for ethanol versus 6±2 rewards for water, p>0.05). These data show potential for the GAL3 receptor antagonist, SNAP 37889, to impact upon ethanol preference in iP rats and represent an avenue for further research into pharmacotherapies for the treatment of alcoholism.
References
[1] Ernest, M., Paulus, M.P., 2005 Neurobiology of decision making: a selective review from a neurocognitive and clinical perspective. Biol Psychiatry 58, 597-604. [2] Bechara, A., Damasio, H., 2002 Decision-making and addiction (part I): impaired activation of somatic states in substance dependent individuals when pondering decisions with negative future consequences. Neuropsychologia, 40 (10), 1675-1689.
References
P.6.b Addiction - Alcohol (basic)
1P.6.b.0021 Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)
1P.6.b.0011 The galanin-3 antagonist, SNAP37889, reduces preference for operant-responding for ethanol in alcohol-preferring iP rats E. Djourna1 ., Al Lawrence/, S.D. Zanatta'', S.l Williams3 . 1 La Trobe University, School ofHuman Biosciences, Melbourne, Australia; 2 University of Melbourne, Howard Florey Institute, Melbourne, Australia; 3 University of Melbourne, School of Chemistry and Bi021 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Melbourne, Australia Galanin is a neuropeptide traditionally associated with influencing diet and feeding behaviour. More recently, pharmacological studies have suggested a role for galanin in affective behaviour and alcohol-seeking in rat models; however the lack of appropriate
[1] Swanson, C.l et. al., 2005 Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like profiles of the galanin-3 receptor (Gal3) antagonists SNAP 37889 an SNAP 398299. Proc Nat! Acad Sci USA 102, 17489-17494. [2] Konkel, M.l et. al., 2006 3-Arylimino-2-indolones Are Potent and Selective Galanin GAL3 Receptor Antagonists. J Med Chern 49, 37573758.
concentration among alcohol dependent inpatient women B. Augustynska1 , A Araszkiewicz/, M. Dabkowska2 . , A Wozniak3 , E. Oglodek'', G. Odrowaz-Sypniewska", W. Kosmowski-, M. Kuligowska". 1L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department of Psychiatry Nursing, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department of Psychiatry, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, The Chair of Medical Biology, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Department ofLaboratory Medicine, Bydgoszcz, Poland Chronic alcohol abuse by human beings has been shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to infections and diseases.