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Mean Red Blood Cell Volume, Narcotic Addiction, and Glucose Tolerance

Mean Red Blood Cell Volume, Narcotic Addiction, and Glucose Tolerance Abstract To the Editor. —Increased mean red cell volume (RCV) in alcoholic subjects receiving methadone has been reported by Stimmel et al.1 They suggested that although the specificity of RCV may be helpful in eliminating those persons who are not actively alcoholic, its sensitivity does not permit its use as a biologic marker for alcoholism in addicts. On the other hand, prior publications suggest that sensitivity of the mean red blood cell volume to detect alcoholism may be variable.2,3 Impaired glucose tolerance has occurred in opiate addicts by altered glucose utilization4,5 and by increased glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1)6 and glycosylated proteins.7Moreover, we reported hematologic alterations in opiate addicts8 similar to those found in diabetics.9,10 Since increased RCV in diabetes mellitus correlated with metabolic control has been reported,11 we investigated RCV and glycosylated Hb A1, which represents a useful index of glucose tolerance,12 in 50 male opiate addicts (age, References 1. Stimmel B, Korts D, Jackson G, Gilbert HS: Failure of mean red cell volume to serve as a biological marker for alcoholism in narcotic dependence. Am J Med 1983;74:369-373.Crossref 2. Carney HWP, Sheffield BF: The hemogram and the diagnosis of alcoholism. J Stud Alcohol 1980;41:744-748. 3. Chick J, Kreitman N, Plant M: Mean cell volume and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as markers of drinking in working men. Lancet 1981;1:1249-1251.Crossref 4. Reed JL, Ghodse AH: Oral glucose tolerance and hormonal response in heroin-dependent males. Br Med J 1973;2:582-585.Crossref 5. Passariello N, Giugliano D, Quatraro A, et al: Glucose tolerance and hormonal responses in heroin addicts: A possible role for endogenous opiates in the pathogenesis of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Metabolism 1983;32:1163-1165.Crossref 6. Ceriello A, Giugliano D, Dello Russo P, et al: Increased glycosylated haemoglobin A1 in opiate addicts: Evidence for a hyperglycaemic effect of morphine. Diabetologia 1982;22:379. 7. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Increased glycosylated proteins in opiate addicts. Diabetes Care 1984;7:104-105. 8. Dello Russo P, Ceriello A, Passariello N, et al: Haemoglobin A1 in addicts. Ann Intern Med 1982;96:536.Crossref 9. Graham JJ, Ryall RG, Wise PH: Glycosylated haemoglobin and relative polycytemia in diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 1980;18:205-207.Crossref 10. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Sgambato S, et al: Glycosylated haemoglobin and reticulocyte count in diabetes. Diabetologia 1982;22:223. 11. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Red blood cell volume and glycaemic control in diabetes. Diabetologia 1983;24:397.Crossref 12. Hall PH, Cook JGH, Sheldon J, et al: Glycosylated haemoglobins and glycosylated plasma proteins in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes Care 1984;7:147-150.Crossref 13. Giugliano D: Morphine, opioid peptides and pancreatic islet function. Diabetes Care 1984;7:92-98.Crossref 14. Passariello N, Giugliano D, Ceriello A, et al: Thrombocytopenia in heroin addicts. Blood 1982;60:276. 15. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Niola O, et al: Fibrinogen levels in opiate addicts. Thromb Haemost 1983;50:755. 16. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Depressed antithrombin III biological activity in opiate addicts. J Clin Pathol 1984;37:1040-1042.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

Mean Red Blood Cell Volume, Narcotic Addiction, and Glucose Tolerance

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References (18)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9926
eISSN
1538-3679
DOI
10.1001/archinte.1985.00360080212037
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract To the Editor. —Increased mean red cell volume (RCV) in alcoholic subjects receiving methadone has been reported by Stimmel et al.1 They suggested that although the specificity of RCV may be helpful in eliminating those persons who are not actively alcoholic, its sensitivity does not permit its use as a biologic marker for alcoholism in addicts. On the other hand, prior publications suggest that sensitivity of the mean red blood cell volume to detect alcoholism may be variable.2,3 Impaired glucose tolerance has occurred in opiate addicts by altered glucose utilization4,5 and by increased glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1)6 and glycosylated proteins.7Moreover, we reported hematologic alterations in opiate addicts8 similar to those found in diabetics.9,10 Since increased RCV in diabetes mellitus correlated with metabolic control has been reported,11 we investigated RCV and glycosylated Hb A1, which represents a useful index of glucose tolerance,12 in 50 male opiate addicts (age, References 1. Stimmel B, Korts D, Jackson G, Gilbert HS: Failure of mean red cell volume to serve as a biological marker for alcoholism in narcotic dependence. Am J Med 1983;74:369-373.Crossref 2. Carney HWP, Sheffield BF: The hemogram and the diagnosis of alcoholism. J Stud Alcohol 1980;41:744-748. 3. Chick J, Kreitman N, Plant M: Mean cell volume and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as markers of drinking in working men. Lancet 1981;1:1249-1251.Crossref 4. Reed JL, Ghodse AH: Oral glucose tolerance and hormonal response in heroin-dependent males. Br Med J 1973;2:582-585.Crossref 5. Passariello N, Giugliano D, Quatraro A, et al: Glucose tolerance and hormonal responses in heroin addicts: A possible role for endogenous opiates in the pathogenesis of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Metabolism 1983;32:1163-1165.Crossref 6. Ceriello A, Giugliano D, Dello Russo P, et al: Increased glycosylated haemoglobin A1 in opiate addicts: Evidence for a hyperglycaemic effect of morphine. Diabetologia 1982;22:379. 7. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Increased glycosylated proteins in opiate addicts. Diabetes Care 1984;7:104-105. 8. Dello Russo P, Ceriello A, Passariello N, et al: Haemoglobin A1 in addicts. Ann Intern Med 1982;96:536.Crossref 9. Graham JJ, Ryall RG, Wise PH: Glycosylated haemoglobin and relative polycytemia in diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 1980;18:205-207.Crossref 10. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Sgambato S, et al: Glycosylated haemoglobin and reticulocyte count in diabetes. Diabetologia 1982;22:223. 11. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Red blood cell volume and glycaemic control in diabetes. Diabetologia 1983;24:397.Crossref 12. Hall PH, Cook JGH, Sheldon J, et al: Glycosylated haemoglobins and glycosylated plasma proteins in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes Care 1984;7:147-150.Crossref 13. Giugliano D: Morphine, opioid peptides and pancreatic islet function. Diabetes Care 1984;7:92-98.Crossref 14. Passariello N, Giugliano D, Ceriello A, et al: Thrombocytopenia in heroin addicts. Blood 1982;60:276. 15. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Niola O, et al: Fibrinogen levels in opiate addicts. Thromb Haemost 1983;50:755. 16. Ceriello A, Dello Russo P, Curcio F, et al: Depressed antithrombin III biological activity in opiate addicts. J Clin Pathol 1984;37:1040-1042.Crossref

Journal

Archives of Internal Medicine – American Medical Association

Published: Aug 1, 1985

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