Analysis of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Methamphetamine Addicts Compared with Healthy Individuals

Methamphetamine has strong stimulating effects on various systems of the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in methamphetamine addicts and to compare them with healthyindividuals. This is a retrospective case-control study that was conducted in 1390-91 in Ibn Sina Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Measurement of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and blood parameters such as platelets and white blood cells(WBCs) count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit of 60 individuals addicted to methamphetamine and 60 healthy subjects as a control group was carried out. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, WBCs and platelet count and serum creatinine levels in methamphetamine addicts were significantly higher than the control group(p-value <0.001), while hemoglobin, hematocrit and albumin levels were lower in these patients (p-value <0.001). The use of methamphetamine increases lipid peroxidation, changes levels of inflammatory markers and increases liver enzymes, which may increase the risk of liver diseases. It also increases WBCs and platelets count as an early sign of inflammatory disease progression, associated with methamphetamine abuse. Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit can also increase the risk of anemia in these patients. These observations may give us a better understanding about the biological mechanisms associated with the pathology of methamphetamine consumption in Iran and help us prevent and solve the problems arising from this drug.