Alterations in malondialdehyde levels and laboratory parameters among methamphetamine abusers

Abstract

Objective: To determine the concentrations of malondialdehyde, biochemical, and hematological parameters among methamphetamine abusers compared with a healthy control group and to evaluate the association between malondialdehyde and biochemical-hematological parameters. Material and Method: The concentrations of malondialdehyde, lipids, liver enzymes, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and hematological measurements were determined in 60 methamphetamine abusers and 60 controls. Results: Significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde were found in the methamphetamine abusers than the controls [2.45 (2.12-2.81) vs. 1.41 (1.15-2.08)]. The levels of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase and white blood cell and platelet counts of the methamphetamine abusers were significantly elevated (p-value < 0.05) compared with the controls. Meanwhile, the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and body mass index were significantly lower among the methamphetamine-abusing group than the control group (p-value < 0.05). It was found that higher numbers of methamphetamine tablets per day were associated with higher malondialdehyde concentrations in methamphetamine abusers, and that malondialdehyde concentration inversely correlated with albumin level (r = -0.458, p-value < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that number of methamphetamine tablets per day, white blood cell count and albumin level were independent predictors of malondialdehyde level (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Methamphetamine abuse is related to increased lipid peroxidation, changes in inflammatory marker level, increase in liver enzymes, and decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations. These effects may be early signs of the development of diseases associated with methamphetamine abuse.