Investigation of Methylation Levels in COMT Gene Promoter among Smokers and Opium Addicted Individuals Undergoing Methadone Treatment

Abstract

1.1. Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that the COMT gene is associated with alcohol, nicotine, and illicit substances. The aim of the present study was to examine the methylation status of a remarkable region in the COMT gene promoter in methadone-treated smokers and addicts. Methods: All male samples, including 30 smokers, 30 opium addicts receiving methadone treatment, and 30 healthy individuals, had their DNAs extracted from their whole blood and processed with a sodium bisulfite kit. 61 CpG dinucleotides were included in the study region and were sequenced.