Findings that shed new light on the possible pathogenesis of a disease or an adverse effect
Improved parameters of metabolic glycaemic and immune function and arterial stiffness with naltrexone implant therapy
University of Queensland, Medical School, 39 Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill, Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
Correspondence to:
Albert Stuart Reece, sreece{at}bigpond.net.au
Here the dramatic and rapid response of a 54-year-old obese hypertensive man with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes with a 33 year history of high dose heroin use, a 1 year history of refractory ulceration of his hands, ankles and feet, treated coronary artery disease, and the metabolic syndrome, to implantation with long-acting naltrexone implants is presented. In particular his hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, proinflammatory state, evidence of hepatic and renal insufficiency, arterial stiffness, and extensive and chronic cutaneous ulceration all improved dramatically over just 13 weeks, in association with complete control of his heroin, benzodiazepine, tobacco and cannabis use. The metabolic and vascular benefits were all highly statistically significant. The case is the first to document dramatic and rapid metabolic, immune and vascular improvements in association with clinical naltrexone therapy and are consistent with its likely effects in restoring addiction-related stem cell and immunological deficits.
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