The possible pathophysiological role of plasma nitric oxide and adrenomedullin in schizophrenia.
Evidence is accumulating for a possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in schizophrenia. Adrenomedullin (AM) induces vasorelaxation by activating adenylate cyclase and also by stimulating the release of NO. AM immune reactivity is present in the brain consistent with a role as neurotransmitter. We aimed to examine plasma levels of nitrite (a metabolite of NO) and AM in schizophrenic patients. Eighty-two patients with schizophrenia and 21 healthy control subjects were included in this study. DSM-IV diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia was established on the basis of independent structured clinical interviews and review of records by two qualified psychiatrists which included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). Total nitrite and AM have been studied in plasma. The mean values of plasma nitrite and AM levels in schizophrenic group were significantly higher than control values, respectively (P=0.03, P<0.0001). AM levels of schizophrenic patients were three fold higher than controls. In correlation analyses, there were statistically significant positive correlations between AM level and SAPS-delusion subscale (r=0.27, P=0.04); SAPS-bizarre behavior subscale (r=0.28, P=0.03) and SAPS-total (r=0.36, P=0.005). There is no correlation between total nitrite and AM levels (r=0.11, P=0.31). Both NO and AM may have a pathophysiological role in schizophrenia, and clinically symptomatology and prognosis of schizophrenia. This subject needs further study including treatment response and subtypes of schizophrenia.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Kole Jtepe, 27100 Gazientep, Turkey.
S Salih
SS
Zoroglu
Hasan
H
Herken
Muhittin
M
Yürekli
Efkan
E
Uz
Hamdi
H
Tutkun
Haluk A
HA
Savaş
Cahit
C
Bagci
Murat Eren
ME
Ozen
Beyhan
B
Cengiz
Ecir Ali
EA
Cakmak
M Ilker
MI
Dogru
Omer
O
Akyol
D000293:Adolescent; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D010455:Peptides; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D009569:Nitric Oxide