Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in People with Methamphetamine Use Disorder

Methamphetamine (METH) is known to induce neurotoxicity in the central nervous system, partly through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This study investigated whether these processes can be detected using peripheral blood biomarkers in patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). The researchers compared 50 male patients with MUD to 36 healthy controls, measuring serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis (a measure of antioxidant capacity), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA, an indicator of tissue hypoxia and oxidative stress), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), alongside a standard complete blood count (CBC).

The results revealed a significant disruption in the oxidant/antioxidant balance in MUD patients. Specifically, patients showed significantly lower levels of native and total thiols—indicating a depleted antioxidant defense—and higher ratios of disulfide to thiol, signaling an environment shifted toward oxidation. Additionally, serum IMA levels and several CBC parameters—including white blood cell, neutrophil, and monocyte counts—were significantly higher in the MUD group, suggesting systemic inflammation. While serum IL-6 levels did not differ significantly between groups at baseline, the duration of METH use was a significant predictor of IL-6 levels, suggesting that chronic exposure to the substance may escalate inflammatory responses over time.

These findings suggest that systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are hallmarks of MUD that can be identified through readily available clinical blood tests. Because these markers are linked to METH-induced neurotoxicity, the ability to monitor these parameters via routine CBC or specialized serum assays could help clinicians assess the physical impact of substance use more effectively. Furthermore, identifying these biological signatures may assist in the development of future treatment algorithms that incorporate anti-inflammatory or antioxidant support during the detoxification and withdrawal phases to potentially reduce cravings and mitigate cognitive impairment.