Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) and Fibroblast Growth Factor-9 (FGF-9) Levels in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder in Remission: Implications for Neuroplasticity

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors are a family of proteins that have recently been implicated in neuroplasticity, and their association with psychiatric disorders has attracted growing interest. We aimed to compare Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) and FGF-9 levels in opioid use disorder (OUD) patients in remission with healthy controls. This cross-sectional study included 45 patients with OUD in remission receiving buprenorphine/naloxone (B/N) maintenance therapy and 45 healthy controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants. FGF-2 and FGF-9 serum levels were similar in the OUD group and healthy controls (p = 0.665, p = 0.090, respectively). A positive correlation was also found between FGF-2 and FGF-9 (r = 0.496, p = 0.001). Neuroplasticity in OUD patients in remission receiving B/N treatment appears to be comparable to that of healthy controls. These findings underscore the importance of long-term treatment strategies in OUD.