Aim: Prodynorphin (PDYN; OMIM: 131340) is the precursor of the dynorphin related peptides which plays an important role in drug abuse. Previous studies have been shown that the expression of PDYN is regulated by a genetic polymorphism of VNTR in the promoter region of the gene.
Materials and methods: The present case-control study was performed on 52 (41 males, 11 females) methamphetamine dependence patients and 635 (525 males, 110 females) healthy blood donors frequency matched with the patients according to age and gender, as a control group was participated in the study.
Results: The genotypes of VNTR PDYN polymorphism were determined using PCR method. The HL (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.67-2.20, P = 0.500) and LL (OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.28-2.57, P = 0.792) genotypes does not alter the risk of methamphetamine dependence, in comparison with the HH genotypes.
Conclusion: The present study revealed no association between the VNTR polymorphism in the promoter region of the PDYN gene and methamphetamine dependence risk.
Keywords: Methamphetamine dependence; PDYN; Polymorphism; Susceptibility; VNTR.