A Longitudinal Analysis of Circulating Stress-Related Proteins and Chronic Ethanol Self-Administration in Cynomolgus Macaques

Background: Alcoholics have alterations in endocrine and immune functions and increased susceptibility to stress‐related disorders. A longitudinal analysis of chronic ethanol intake on homeostatic mechanisms is, however, incompletely characterized in primates. Methods: Plasma proteins (n = 60; Luminex) and hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]; cortisol) were repeatedly measured in adult male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, n = 10) during a 32‐month experimental protocol at baseline, during induction of water and ethanol (4% w/v in water) self‐administration, after 4 months, and after 12 months of 22‐hour daily concurrent access to ethanol and water. Results: Significant changes were observed in ACTH, cortisol, and 45/60 plasma proteins: a majority (28/45) were suppressed as a function of ethanol self‐administration, 8 proteins were elevated, and 9 showed biphasic changes. Cortisol and ACTH were greatest during induction, and correlations between these hormones and plasma proteins varied across the experiment. Pathway analyses implicated nuclear factor κ‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) as possible mediators of ethanol‐induced effects on immune‐related proteins in primates. Conclusions: Chronic ethanol consumption in primates leads to an allostatic state of physiological compromise with respect to circulating immune‐ and stress‐related proteins in NF‐κB‐ and STAT/JAK‐related pathways in correlation with altered endocrine activity.