| Objective:Schizophrenia is an etiologically complex psychiatric disorder.Neuregulin 1(NRG1)gene and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)gene are susceptibility genes in schizophrenia.To observe the serum expression levels of NRG 1 and VEGF in schizophrenia patients.This study aimed to assess these relationships:the baseline serum levels of NRG 1 and VEGF in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia,the correlation among serum NRG1 and VEGF and cognitive function and clinical symptoms,the changes of the serum levels of NRG 1 and VEGF before and after antipsychotic drugs treatment.Methods:A total of 87 patients(41 males and 46 females)for the baseline case group and 88 healthy individuals(40 males and 48 females)for the control group were selected to participate in this study.The healthy control participants matched by gender,age,and years of education.69 patients(35 males and 34 females)received antipsychotic drugs treatment for 4 weeks.Blood samples were drawn from the antecubital vein in the morning after the subject had fasted for 12 hours,the serum was separated,and stored at-80℃ in the refrigeror.The positive and negative symptom scale(PANSS)was used to assess the mental symptoms of the case group.Cognitive function of all subjects was assessed using Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS).The serum levels of NRG1 and VEGF of all subjects were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:1.The serum level of NRG1 in the baseline case group(n=87)and healthy control group(n=88)were 2.98(2.20,3.70)ng/ml and 3.67(2.72,5.25)ng/ml,there was a significant difference(P<0.01).Serum VEGF level between the two groups were 220.77(140.28,416.30)pg/ml and 321.49(224.75,511.95)pg/ml,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).2.The total RBANS scale score and 5 subscale scores in the baseline case group were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group,the differences between the two groups were significant(all P<0.01).The total score of PANSS and the scores of each component were not correlated with the the serum level of NRG1 or VEGF(all P>0.05).The serum level of NRG 1 in the case group were positively correlated with immediate memory,verbal function,attention,delayed memory and the total score of RBANS scale(all P<0.05).The serum level of VEGF were positively correlated with immediate memory,visual breadth,verbal function,delayed memory and total scores on the RBANS scale(P<0.05).No significant correlation was found between RBANS scale scores and PNASS scale scores(P>0.05).The serum level of NRG1 was positively correlated with serum VEGF level(r=0.371,p<0.01).3.The serum levels of NRG1 at baseline period and after 2 and 4 weeks on the drug were[2.98(2.16,3.75),3.02(2.33,3.98),3.30(2.65,4.37)]ng/ml in the case group,significantly higher at 4 weeks compared to baseline period(P<0.05),no significant difference at 2 weeks compared to baseline period(P>0.05);The serum levels of VEGF were[208.58(140.27,398.33),309.34(174.77,435.09),347.86(211.62,512.65)]pg/ml,significantly higher at 2 weeks and 4 weeks compared to baseline period.The serum level of NRG1 did not correlate with serum VEGF level after 4 weeks on the drug(r=0.039,P>0.05).4.The serum levels of NRG1 were 3.30(2.65,4.37)ng/ml and 3.67(2.72,5.25)ng/ml in the case group after 4 weeks on the drug compared to healthy control group,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Serum VEGF levels were 347.86(211.62,512.65)pg/ml and 321.49(224.75,511.95)pg/ml,there was also no statistical significance in the two groups.(P>0.05).Conclusions:1.The serum levels of NRG1 and VEGF in first-episode schizophrenia patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls,and serum NRG1 and VEGF levels were positively correlated.These results indicate that NRG1 and VEGF involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.Moreover,there is a close relationship between NRG1 and VEGF in schizophrenia.2.The expression levels of NRG1 and VEGF were significantly decreased at baseline,but they significantly recovered after antipsychotic therapy,suggesting that NRG1 and VEGF may be potential as Status markers for schizophrenia.3.The total RBANS scale score and 5 subscale scores in first-episode schizophrenia patients were significantly lower than healthy controls,no significant correlation was found between cognitive impairment and both positive and negative symptoms.The results indicate that people with first-episode schizophrenia have cognitive impairments at the onset of the disease,and cognitive deficit is the psychiatric symptom that exists independently of schizophrenia.4.Serum NRG1 and VEGF levels in patients at baseline were correlated with cognitive function,they decreased gradually with the severity of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.These results indicate that NRG1 and VEGF may have a neuroprotective role in patients with schizophrenia. |
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