FGF21 and Its Role in Alcohol Dependence

Plasma fibroblast growthfactor-21 (FGF21) responses to acute alcohol exposure will be evaluated in three groups: A: 15 individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence (ICD10 code F10.2) and no alcoholic liver diseases, B: 15 healthy individuals with one or two parents with alcohol dependence, and C: 15 healthy matched controls without history of or disposition to alcohol dependence. The experimental day consists of a load of 0.5 g ethanol per kg body weight ingested from time 0-10 minutes followed by a 7 h period in which blood will be sampled with frequent intervals, rating of preference for ethanol, salt, sour, bitterly and sweets, sensations of hunger, appetite, satiety, headache, and nausea will be evaluated using visuel analogue scale and resting energy expenditure will be evaluated using indirect calorimetry.