Prostaglandin metabolite levels in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disease which affects individuals, family members and society. Although many studies have been carried out on the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia, the condition is not entirely understood. In this study, it has been aimed to measure prostaglandin (PG) metabolite levels in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The present study measured prostaglandin metabolite levels in 50 schizophrenia patients and 50 healthy volunteers who were matched for age, sex and smoking is similar in terms of, at least two years of patient. Measurements were also taken of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF(2 alpha) (PGFM) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGE(2) (PGEM). The measurements were performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) which is a more sensitive device. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Student's t Test, Chi Square Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test. Findings: In the patient group, the PGEM level (0.0807+/-0.014, t=3.490, p=0.001) and the PGFM level (0.0613+/-0.0128, t=-7.486, p=0.000) were both significantly lower than in the control group (PGEM 0.0907+/-0.0146; PGFM 0.0793+/-0.0113). Discussion: These results suggest that a disorder in phospholipid metabolism may be important in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2011; 12:100-106)