title: Alterations in serum amino acid concentrations in male and female schizophrenic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since several studies have investigated gender-related differences in the onset of disease, response to drug therapy, etc. in schizophrenic patients, we examined the alterations in serum amino acids concentrations in male and female patients separately.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum amino acid concentrations in the normal (n=35; male 21 and female 14) and schizophrenic patients (n=32; male 19 and female 13) were determined by HPLC using a pre-column fluorescence derivatization with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum glutamate and serine concentrations were significantly increased in the male schizophrenic patients (p=0.0161 and 0.0257, respectively), while the serum Pro concentration was significantly increased in female schizophrenic patients (p=0.0398). Serum Glu, Ser, and Pro concentrations in the patients did not significantly correlate with the age, age of onset of disease, duration of illness, and chlorpromazine equivalents. Among the amino acids, serum Orn concentrations in male and female schizophrenic patients positively correlated with the duration of illness (p<0.01, r=0.685 and 0.688, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data suggest the existence of gender-related differences in the alterations in serum amino acid concentrations in schizophrenic patients; further, serum Orn concentration in both sexes might be influenced by medications.
authors: Division of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Tomiya
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Fukushima
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Watanabe
authors: Goro
authors: G
authors: Fukami
authors: Mihisa
authors: M
authors: Fujisaki
authors: Masaomi
authors: M
authors: Iyo
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Hashimoto
authors: Shogo
authors: S
authors: Mitsuhashi
authors: Toshimasa
authors: T
authors: Toyo'oka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D010879:Piperazines; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: C432126:4-nitro-7-piperazino-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole; D000596:Amino Acids; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D010879:Piperazines; D002746:Chlorpromazine