Expression of Glutamate Transporters in Alcohol Withdrawal

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the expression of glutamate transporters during withdrawal in the alcohol-dependent patients. Method: The study consisted of 20 male inpatient alcoholics during the withdrawal period and 20 healthy controls. Expressions of glutamate transporters, namely the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and EAAT3, in white blood cells were measured with the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method in early (first day) and late (28 th day) withdrawal in alcoholic patients and once in the controls. Results: EAAT2 and EAAT3 expressions in the patients during both early and late withdrawal were higher than those of the controls. There was no difference in the EAAT2 and EAAT3 levels of the patients between early and late abstinence. Discussion: The study revealed an upregulation of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 during early and late withdrawal in patients with alcohol withdrawal.