Calcitonin serum levels in heroin addicts: Effects of methadone and clonidine detoxication treatments

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 181 - 183
• Main Authors: Tagliaro, F., Dorizzi, R., Lafisca, S., Maschio, S., Marigo, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.11.1985; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Calcitonin; Calcitonin - blood; Clonidine; Clonidine - therapeutic use; Drug addictions; Female; Heroin addiction; Heroin Dependence - blood; Heroin Dependence - rehabilitation; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Methadone; Methadone - therapeutic use; Radioimmunoassay; Toxicology; Clonidine; Methadone; Heroin addiction; Calcitonin; Human; Drug abuse; Chemotherapy; Deintoxication
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/0376-8716(85)90116-4

Calcitonin (CT), a 32-aminoacid peptide, is secreted by the parafollicular ‘C’ cells of the thyroid which derive from the ultimobranchial body and, ultimately, from the neural crest. In man, the main role of this hormone is to protect the skeleton during periods of physiological stress, such as growth, pregnancy and lactation by reducing calcium loss [1]. Nevertheless some recent data, such as the finding of immunoreactive CT-like material (iCT) in the central nervous system [2] and in the cerebrospinal fluid and the demonstration of its analgesic action in rabbits [4] and in man [5] indicate a relationship between CT and the neuroendocrine system. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the levels of CT in a group of addicts to heroin both before and during detoxication treatment with methadone or a non-opioid drug like clonidine.