Evidence that the activities of erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes and the products of lipid peroxidation ape increased in different forms of schizophrenia
H. Herken et al., Evidence that the activities of erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes and the products of lipid peroxidation ape increased in different forms of schizophrenia, MOL PSYCHI, 6(1), 2001, pp. 66-73
In order to examine antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in schizophre
nia patients, activities of three free radical scavenging enzymes (superoxi
de dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT)), an
d the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as an index
of lipid peroxidation have been studied in red blood cells. Schizophrenic p
atients were divided into three groups (disorganized (n = 21), paranoid (n
= 26) and residual types (n = 18)) to determine differences between subgrou
ps. SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in the control group were found to be 14
61.0 +/- 248.6 U g(-1) Hb, 148.2 +/- 59.3 k g(-1) Hb and 25.87 +/- 4.25 U g
(-1) Hb, respectively. We found no significant differences in SOD activitie
s between study and control groups. There was a significant increase in SOD
activity in the residual group compared to the paranoid group (P < 0.005).
CAT activity was found to be increased in disorganized (148%), paranoid (1
47%), and residual (165%) groups compared to the control group. GSH-Px acti
vity was markedly increased in the study groups except the paranoid group.
Statistically significant (3-4 fold) increases in TBARS levels of red blood
cells were found in all the study groups. It is proposed that antioxidant
status may be changed in schizophrenia and thus may induce lipid peroxidati
on. Therefore, oxidative stress may have a pathophysiological role in all t
he subtypes of schizophrenia.