Early life adversity and appetite hormones: The effects of smoking status, nicotine withdrawal, and relapse on ghrelin and peptide YY during smoking cessation.

There is evidence suggesting that ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) modulate stress responses and the rewarding effects of drugs, although no research has examined the impact of exposure to early life stress on these hormones in smokers nor during smoking cessation. This study examined the relationships between early life adversity (ELA) and circulating ghrelin and PYY during ad libitum smoking and early withdrawal in tobacco smokers (N = 98) who were interested in cessation. We also included a comparison group of nonsmokers (N = 36). We prospectively compared levels of hormones between smokers who were successful in quitting within a 2-week period, smokers who relapsed during that period, and nonsmokers. Results showed that ELA was positively associated with elevated ghrelin in nonsmokers. Among those reporting no ELA, successful quitters had higher ghrelin levels than nonsmokers during ad libitum smoking, while relapsers had higher ghrelin levels than nonsmokers during withdrawal. In addition, having no ELA was associated with a decline in ghrelin from the ad libitum to abstinence sessions in successful quitters; this withdrawal-related decline was not found in relapsers. Although effects of ELA, smoking group, and time on PYY were not significant, greater PYY was associated with reduced urges to smoke during withdrawal. These findings suggest the importance of considering changes in appetite-related hormones in individuals who are dependent on tobacco. This research provides additional indications for effects of ELA on appetite-stimulating hormones.

al'Absi M ，DeAngelis B ，Nakajima M ，Hatsukami D ，Allen S ... -  《-》

Nicotine addiction and the influence of life adversity and acute stress on PYY: Prediction of early smoking relapse.

Miller AA ，Nakajima M ，DeAngelis BN ，Hatsukami DK ，al'Absi M ... -  《Pharmacology Research & Perspectives》

Changes in circulating peptide YY and ghrelin are associated with early smoking relapse.

Ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY) during ad libitum smoking have been associated with decreased reported craving (ghrelin) and increased positive affect (PYY), and higher baseline ghrelin levels predicted subsequent increased risk of smoking relapse. The current study assessed PYY and ghrelin during ad libitum smoking and again after the initial 48h of a smoking cessation attempt. The data compared smokers who abstained for 28days (n=37), smokers who relapsed (n=54), and nonsmokers (n=37). Plasma samples and subjective measures assessing craving and mood were collected at the beginning of each session. Results showed that relapsers experienced greater levels of distress (ps <0.01). While nonsmokers and abstainers showed no change in ghrelin across the initial 48h, relapsers declined (p <0.01). With PYY, relapsers increased (p <0.05) across the early abstinent phase. PYY and ghrelin may be useful predictors of relapse, specifically in reference to early withdrawal.

Lemieux AM ，al'Absi M 《-》

Peptide YY and ghrelin predict craving and risk for relapse in abstinent smokers.

Appetite hormones are directly involved in regulating satiety, energy expenditure, and food intake, and accumulating evidence suggests their involvement in regulating reward and craving for drugs. This study investigated the ability of peptide YY (PYY) and ghrelin during the initial 24-48 h of a smoking cessation attempt to predict smoking relapse at 4 weeks. Multiple regression analysis indicated that increased PYY was associated with decreased reported craving and increased positive affect. Cox proportional hazard models showed that higher ghrelin levels predicted increased risk of smoking relapse (hazard ratio=2.06, 95% CI=1.30-3.27). These results indicate that circulating PYY may have buffering effects during the early stages of cessation while ghrelin may confer increased risk of smoking relapse. Further investigation of the links between these hormones and nicotine dependence is warranted.

al'Absi M ，Lemieux A ，Nakajima M 《-》

Impact of early life adversity on the stress biobehavioral response during nicotine withdrawal.

Exposure to early life adversity (ELA) is associated with increased subsequent risk for addiction and relapse. We examined changes in psychobiological responses to stress in dependent smokers and nonsmoking controls and evaluated how history of early adversity may exacerbate acute changes during nicotine withdrawal and acute stress. Smokers were randomly assigned to one of two conditions; 24 h withdrawal (66 smokers) from smoking and all nicotine-containing products or smoking ad libitum (46 smokers) prior to an acute laboratory stress induction session; and 44 nonsmokers provided normal referencing. The laboratory session included a baseline rest, stress and recovery periods. Plasma and saliva samples for the measurement stress hormones and cardiovascular and self-report mood measures were collected multiple times during the session. Multivariate analysis confirmed that all groups showed stress-related increases in negative mood, cardiovascular measures and stress hormones, particularly smokers in the withdrawal condition. Individuals with high ELA showed greater adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), but lower plasma and salivary cortisol levels, than those with low ELA. Cortisol differences were abolished during tobacco withdrawal. These findings demonstrate that ELA moderates the effects of withdrawal on stress-related biobehavioral changes.

al'Absi M ，Nakajima M ，Lemieux A 《-》