Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry

Objectives：To evaluate the relation of familial history of alcoholism and plasma level of β-endorphin, ethanol, β-endorphin, cortisol and blood glucose were compared in 48 male alcoholics and 29 normal controls.

Methods：Subjects are divided into two groups by family history of alcoholism. Blood samples were obtained before and after 0.75mg/kg of ethanol consumption at 7th admission day.

Results：1) The ratio of family history positive to negative of the patient group was 2 to 1.2) The age at admission of positive family history group was younger than negative group.3) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ethanol level among three groups.4) There was no significant difference in change of plasma β-endorphin level among three groups.5) There was no significant difference in change of plasma cortisol level among three groups.6) There was no significant difference in change of fasting blood sugar level between two patient groups.

Keywords Alcoholism;Family history;β-Endorphin.