Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a signaling molecule with many physiogical functions including apoptotic process regulation. Since apoptosis may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, this study was undertaken to determine the plasma concentrations of NO in schizophrenics. Methods: Nitrite/nitrate (NO 2 -/NO 3 -) concentrations were measured in plasma from 40 patients with schizophrenia, and 36 age-and gender-matched healthy persons using a colorimetric test. Results: Plasma NO 2 -/NO 3 -concentrations were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia (102.8"34.7
Our results show that erythrocyte SOD activity is increased in the early phase of schizophrenia and that depends on age of onset of the disease, the number of psychotic episodes, the duration of the disease and medical treatment.
SummaryBackground: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of many genes, including the gene for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), were found significantly associated with schizophrenia. According to our previously published results of increased plasma nitric oxide concentration in patients with schizophrenia, we hypothesized that the NOS1 gene polymorphism might be a cause of increased nitric oxide production in patients with schizophrenia and tested the interdependence between plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations and SNP (a CT transition located in exon 29) of the human NOS1 gene. Methods: Nitrite/nitrate concentration was measured in blood plasma of 38 patients with schizophrenia and of 39 age and gender matched healthy persons by the colorimetric test. The NOS1 gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: A significantly higher plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration was found in patients with schizophrenia (97.5±33.3 mmol/L, p<0
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