RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the serum brain derived neurotropic factor (BNDF) levels of patients with schizophrenia who had never received an antipsychotic treatment with those of a control group. Also, to analyze the relationship between the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores and BDNF levels of the patients during the period they were drug-naive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of the study comprised patients who presentedto the Psychiatry Clinic and were admitted after a distinctive schizophrenia diagnosis was made in accordance with the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) diagnosis classification and who were not using and never had any antipsychotic medicine. A total of 160 participants were included in the study, 80 of whom had schizophrenia patients and 80 constituted the age- and sex-matched healthy control group. Before the start of the treatment, the serum samples to be checked for the BDNF levels were collected from the patients. RESULTS: The difference between the average BDNF levels of the groups were statistically significant (t = -5.25; pË.001). An analysis as to whether there was a relation between the BDNF levels and the drug-naïve duration indicated no correlations. An examination of the relationship between PANSS scores and BDNF levels of the patients yielded no correlations. DISCUSSION: Serum BDNF levels seem to be one of the indicators of schizophrenia and its progress; nevertheless, we still do not have sufficient information about this neurotropic factor. In light of our study, the neurodevelopmental changes that occur at disease onset of the illness prominently affect the progress of the illness, which highlights the importance of the treatment in the early stages.
Asunto(s)
Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/sangre , Esquizofrenia/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Antipsicóticos/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Esquizofrenia/tratamiento farmacológico , Esquizofrenia/fisiopatología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate dynamic thiol/disulfide (SH/SS) homeostasis in untreated schizophrenia. METHODS: Blood thiol/disulfide homeostasis status, which reflects native thiol-disulfide exchanges, was investigated in 87 untreated patients (52 males, 35 females), and the obtained results were compared with 86 healthy controls. Blood serum native thiol and total thiol (ToSH) concentrations were measured in a paired test. The half value of the difference between native thiol and ToSH concentrations was calculated as the disulfide bond amount. RESULTS: SH and ToSH concentrations were found to be significantly lower (p<0.001 for both) in patients with untreated schizophrenia compared with the control group, whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001). Schizophrenia patients had significantly higher SS/ToSH and SS/SH ratios and a significantly lower SH/ToSH ratio compared to those of healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: SH and ToSH amounts were found to be insufficient in untreated schizophrenia patients. Additionally, according to the results of the study, thiol/disulfide homeostasis was also disturbed by a shift to the disulfide bond formation side. This might affect the neurotransmission processes, which are known to be related with many symptoms observed in schizophrenia. The replacement of the thiol gap and the reduction of excess SS amounts might have a positive effect in supporting therapy for schizophrenia patients.