Association between the traditional Chinese medicine pathological factors of opioid addiction and DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA polymorphisms

BACKGROUND: As we known, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) helps to prevent the relapse of drug addiction. However, the scientific basis of TCM remains unclear because of limitations of current reductionist approaches. We aimed to explore the possible mechanism of how ANKK1 TaqIA (A1/A2) [rs1800497(T/C)] affects the relapse of opioid addiction on the perspective of Chinese traditional medicine. METHODS: The ANKK1 TaqIA (A1/A2) [rs1800497(T/C)] of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) polymorphisms were genotyped in a case–control sample consisting of 347 opioid addicts and 155 healthy controls with RT-PCR and the TCM pathological factors were collected by means of Syndrome Elements Differentiation in the case–control sample. RESULTS: DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA Polymorphisms has no relation with opioid addiction relapse; but for those who were diagnosed with phlegm syndrome, DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA Polymorphisms affect the replapse of apioid addiction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA is associated with opioid addict and it is obvious in opioid addicts who suffer from the phlegm syndrome.