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To tackle the problem of alcoholism, a new vaccine which gives alcoholics an immediate and heavy hangover will soon be tested in India after preclinical trials in Chile, according to Dr Juan Asenjo, director of the Institute for Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology at Universidad de Chile.
The preclinical trial preludes the phase I clinical trial in India, when doctors will inject people with the vaccine for the first time. If all goes well, the vaccination could be available as soon as two years from now, stated Dr Asenjo.
The vaccine is stated to be effective between six months and a year, works by sending a biochemical message to the liver telling it not to express genes that metabolise alcohol.
Usually, the liver turns alcohol into the hangover-causing compound called acetaldehyde which is then broken down by a metabolising enzyme, stated the Universidad de Chile release.
If a candidate who is vaccinated tries to drink alcohol will immediately experience severe nausea, accelerated heartbeat, and general discomfort. Once the vaccine has been administered it cannot be reversed, the report said.
Dr Asenjo is of the view that although the vaccine is not a cure-all, it could provide an important first step. "People who end up alcoholic have a social problem; a personality problem because they're shy, whatever, and then they are depressed, so it's not so simple. Now if we could solve the chemical, the basic part of the problem, could help quite a bit," Dr Asenjo said.
If all goes well, the vaccination could be available as soon as two years from now. The vaccine could affect hundreds of millions of alcoholics worldwide. If it works, it's going to have a worldwide impact, but with many vaccines one has to test them carefully. I think the chances that this one will work are quite high, said Dr Asenjo.
The vaccine would work for six months to one year through RNA, which can control gene expression. The so-called anti-aldh2 antisense RNA acts as a messenger to tell the liver not to express genes that metabolise alcohol.
In other words, the vaccine ups the ante on hangovers in order to discourage consumption.
Dr Asenjo stated that his research team in Chile is heading up the only trial of alcohol vaccines in the world adding that drug did not ease intense cravings and has a high toxicity level.
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