Effect of Amphetamine Dependence on Redox State via Alteration of Urinary Levels of Major and Trace Elements: A Case-Control Study in the Saudi Population

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 5; p. e59819
• Main Authors: Al-Saif, Lira A, Aljawhri, Said A, Eissa, Osama G, Mahmoud, Rania H, Said, Eman S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 07.05.2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Age; Alcohol; Amphetamines; Biomarkers; Caffeine; Drug abuse; Drug use; Ethics; Free radicals; Marital status; Other; Oxidative stress; Patients; Psychiatry; Smoking; Sociodemographics; Substance Use and Addiction; Substance use disorder; Trace elements; Urine; Saudi Arabia; amphetamine; major elements; trace elements; redox status; substance use disorder sud; heavy metals
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59819

Background Drug and substance abuse remains a major medical problem worldwide. Amphetamines are potent stimulants of the central nervous system. Amphetamine abuse is highly prevalent among drug-dependents. This study was conducted in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, to evaluate amphetamine's toxic effects on major and trace elements and their correlation with redox status. Methods The study involved amphetamine-only patients admitted to the Erada Rehabilitation Centre from March to October 2023. Urine samples were analysed from both normal subjects and amphetamine-dependent groups. Results Urinary sodium and chloride levels were significantly higher in the amphetamine-dependent group than in the control group, while their calcium levels decreased. Lipid peroxidase levels significantly increased in people with a substance use disorder (SUD), indicating oxidative stress. Together, their total antioxidant capacity decreased. Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), sodium (Na), and total antioxidant capacity levels were positively correlated with lipid peroxidase. Conclusions Amphetamine-dependent people are more likely to experience a variety of health problems. This study found a direct correlation between an imbalance in major and trace elements and the redox status.