Oxidative stress and schizophrenia: A comparative cross-sectional study
of multiple oxidative markers in patients and their first-degree
relatives
Abstract
Objective: Schizophrenia(SCZ) is a heritable severe mental disorder with
unknown pathogenic mechanisms. It is known that oxidative stress(OS)
plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of SCZ. Our study aimed to
evaluate whether there is a relationship between the severity of illness
and OS biomarkers in SCZ patients and first-degree-relatives of
patients(FDRs). Methods: This study included 50 adult patients with SCZ,
50 unaffected FDRs, and 50 controls. OS biomarkers,
myeloperoxidase(MPO), total oxidant status(TOS), total antioxidant
status(TAS), total thiol(TT), and native thiol(NT) levels were measured
by different photometric methods. Disulfide(DS) and oxidative stress
index(OSI) were calculated with mathematical formulas. Results: TOS, DS,
and OSI levels were significantly higher, and TAS, TT, and NT levels
were lower in SCZ and FDRs than controls. In SCZ group, MPO activity was
higher compared to relatives and controls. Results in this study did not
provide a strong correlation between Positive&Negative Syndrome
Scale(PANSS) and other biomarkers. There was just a low negative
correlation between TT and PANSS in SCZ group(p=0,041,r=-0,297).
Conclusion: OS increased significantly in SCZ, and FDRs increased
slightly than controls, indicating the presence of OS in the etiology of
the disease. High OS may be an effective factor for SCZ in later years.