Sex difference in the interrelationship between TNF-α and oxidative stress status in first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia

Abstract

Background Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulated TNF-α and oxidative stress (OxS) contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Additionally, previous evidence has demonstrated sex differences in many aspects of schizophrenia including clinical characteristics, cytokines, and OxS markers. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study investigating sex differences in the association between TNF-α, the OxS system, and their interaction with clinical symptoms in schizophrenia patients, especially in first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) patients. Methods A total of 119 FEDN schizophrenia patients and 135 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Serum TNF-α, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was applied to evaluate psychotic symptoms. Two-way ANOVA, partial correlation analysis, and multivariate regression analysis were performed. Results A sex difference in MDA levels was demonstrated only in healthy controls (F = 7.06, pBonferroni = 0.045) and not seen in patients. Furthermore, only male patients had higher MDA levels than male controls (F = 8.19, pBonferroni = 0.03). Additionally, sex differences were observed in the association of TNF-α and MDA levels with psychotic symptoms (all pBonferroni < 0.05). The interaction of TNF-α and MDA was only associated with general psychopathology symptom in male patients (B = − 0.07, p = 0.02). Conclusion Our results demonstrate the sex difference in the relationship between TNF-α, MDA, and their interaction with psychopathological symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.

Differing Prevalence and Correlates of Metabolic Syndromes Between Chlorpromazine and Clozapine: A 10-year Retrospective Study of a Male Chinese Cohort

“…Thus, we did not include food preference or exercise status in our logistic regression analyses. Gender differences are also important influencing factors in clinical research [ 55 , 56 ]. In examining gender differences in the occurrence of MetS with clozapine, Zhang et al have found that MetS prevalence in schizophrenic patients treated with CLZ differed significantly as a function of gender [ i.e.…”

Analysis of occupational stress and its correlation with oxidative-antioxidant levels among employees of a power grid enterprise in Guangdong

“…Salem et al [ 30 ] surveyed on the nurses’ population found a significant positive correlation between MDA levels and ERI model occupational stress. Previous studies found that due to the secretion of testosterone, aging, and other factors, males and young people have significantly lower MDA levels than females and old people, respectively [ 44 , 45 ]. The difference between our study and Salem’s study may be because the subjects of our study were employees of a power grid enterprise, and a relatively large proportion of the study population was 40–50.…”

Urinary Malondialdehyde (MDA) Concentrations in the General Population—A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

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