Evaluation of thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels in patients diagnosed with heroin use disorder

Background: Heroin use induces biochemical alterations in the body by affecting oxidative stress, thiol-disulfide homeostasis, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, with these parameters potentially serving as biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of heroin use disorder. Methods: This study aims to investigate the changes in thiol-disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels, as well as their interrelationships, between patients with heroin use disorder and a control group. This study was conducted with patients aged 18-65 who were diagnosed with ‘heroin use disorder’ according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and received outpatient follow-up and treatment. A total of 171 people were included in our study, 86 of whom were diagnosed with opioid (heroin) use disorder, and 85 were healthy controls. Results: The study’s results demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups regarding age, marital status, education level, employment status, co-residing persons and stay in prison. Additionally, it was determined that there was a significant difference in depression, anxiety, disulfide, Disulfide/Native thiol, Disulfide/Total thiol, Native thiol/Total thiol and IMA between the case and control groups. Regression analysis indicated that duration of heroin use and maximum duration without substance were associated with total thiol and IMA in patients with HUD. Conclusions: These findings may contribute to the adoption of new perspectives targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms in the early diagnosis and treatment of heroin use disorder.