AIMS: Since the appetite-regulating peptide leptin was recently found to be highly correlated with both craving for alcohol and lifetime ethanol intake, the aim of our study was to test the hypothesis whether tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) might be the factor that links alcohol intake with elevated leptin levels. METHODS: TNF-alpha, leptin, and alcohol craving were assessed in male alcohol addicts at the onset of alcohol withdrawal and in matched controls. RESULTS: Increased leptin plasma levels in alcohol addicts correlated significantly with an enhanced secretion of TNF-alpha, which was itself related to the duration of alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS: Since leptin was shown to be associated with alcohol craving, a possible vicious circle is suggested, including the components: alcohol intake, increase of TNF-alpha, enhanced leptin secretion, enhanced alcohol craving, and consecutively increased alcohol intake.
