Endophenotype properties of niacin sensitivity as marker of impaired prostaglandin signalling in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Disruption of arachidonic acid pathways and prostaglandin signalling has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
We intended to study prostaglandin signalling in groups of young schizophrenia patients, first-degree relatives, and healthy controls in order to assess effects of heritability on this biological marker-one important endophenotype criterion.


METHODS
Namely, we assessed intensity of methylnicotinate skin flushing using optical reflection spectroscopy. Tests were applied to 19 adolescent first-episode schizophrenia patients, 21 first-degree relatives, and groups of age and gender matched healthy controls.


RESULTS
Compared to healthy controls, attenuation of skin flushing at low niacin concentrations was found only in schizophrenia patients, but not in first-degree relatives.


CONCLUSIONS
While our results indicate niacin hyposensitivity as reliable biological marker in schizophrenia, they do not provide clear evidence for its heritability. Particularly, the results in adolescent schizophrenia patients are suggestive for the perception of attenuated niacin flushing as secondary to the pathophysiology at the onset of schizophrenic illness, namely increased oxidative stress, alterations of unspecific immune-response or inflammation-like processes.
Smesny
Stefan
S
Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743, Jena, Germany. stefan.smesny@med.uni-jena.de
Klemm
Silke
S
Stockebrand
Margit
M
Grunwald
Sebastian
S
Gerhard
Uwe-Jens
UJ
Rosburg
Timm
T
Sauer
Heinrich
H
Blanz
Bernhard
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005483:Flushing; D006801:Humans; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D009525:Niacin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D012907:Smoking; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009525:Niacin