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Abstract
Background: Opiate abuse has been linked to oxidative stress, through the separate evaluation of oxidants and antioxidants. Objectives: To determine prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) in chronic heroin users in a single assay, easily applied in a clinical setting. Specifically, to examine whether PAB values correlate with the duration of abuse or with the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. Methods: Sixty-four chronic heroin users - 34 cases and 30 controls - participated in this study. PAB was determined by an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, developed by members of the study group. Results: In heroin users, oxidative balance was disrupted in favor of prooxidants. There was no correlation of PAB values with the duration of abuse or with the presence of anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Conclusions: Chronic heroin users can benefit from an antioxidant therapy, and the method currently presented can be used as an identification criterion.