In addition to the availability of nutrients (mainly folate, vitamins B6 and B12), plasma Hcy concentrations are dependent on complex metabolic regulation that could be disrupted in schizophrenia.
This study was designed to test the influence of disease activity on plasma Hcy levels. Plasma HcY
concentrations were measured in male chronic schizophrenic patients with a predominantly positive (SCH (+)) or predominantly negative (SCH (-)) syndrome in schizophrenia immediately upon admission to the hospital (exacerbation phase) and one month later (remission phase). During this period patients received antipsychotic medications without vitamin Selleckchem AZD2281 therapy. The effects of age, duration of illness, folate and B12 concentrations, as well as smoking and coffee consumption habits www.selleckchem.com/products/chir-99021-ct99021-hcl.html on the observed changes were evaluated. Age- and sex-matched subjects were included in the control group. In the control group plasma Hcy concentration was 8.75 +/- 1.84 mu mol/L in the exacerbation phase
plasma Hcy concentrations were significantly increased both in SCH (+) (14.91 +/- 6.19 mu mol/L) and SCH groups (12.8 +/- 3.27 mu mol/L). There was no difference in plasma Hcy concentrations between SCH (+) and SCH patients. Serum folate and B12 concentrations were not significantly different in any of the investigated groups of subjects. The plasma Hcy concentrations could not be correlated with age, duration of illness, the score of positive symptoms or the concentration of folate and vitamin B12. A positive correlation was found between plasma Hcy level and score of negative symptoms in both groups of patients. No correlation was found between smoking or coffee consumption habits and
plasma Hcy concentrations. All patients exhibited decreased plasma Hcy levels in the remission phase of the illness, with a mean decrease of 2.68 +/- 1.57 mu mol/L Folate and B12 levels did not differ in the exacerbation and remission phases of the illness.
The significant decrease of plasma Hcy levels, without changes in folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in the remission phase of schizophrenia, could Sinomenine indicate an influence of a pathogenetic process involved in schizophrenia on Hcy metabolism. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
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