A Study On The Correlation Between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease And Oxytocin In Schizophrenia

Objective: Schizophrenia(SCZ)is a group of severe psychiatric disorders of unknown etiology,characterized by positive symptoms(including delusions,hallucinations,and disorganized speech and behavior),negative symptoms(including social impairment,affective flattening,and reduced initiative and energy),and a wide range of cognitive dysfunction(including deficits in working memory,executive functioning,and processing speed)as the main clinical manifestations.Patients with SCZ are at significantly higher risk than the general population for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),the most common type of chronic liver disease,which has been shown to be closely associated with cardiovascular disease and to contribute to unnatural death in patients with SCZ.NAFLD reduces the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with SCZ,and increases the burden on families and society.This study aims to investigate the relationship between oxytocin and its related factors and co-morbid NAFLD in patients with SCZ,to explain the role of oxytocin in the development of NAFLD in patients with SCZ,and to provide a strategy to reduce the prevalence of NAFLD in this population.This study may provide a theoretical framework for the development of strategies to reduce the prevalence of NAFLD in this population,which will help to reduce the disease burden and improve the prognosis.Methods: The general demographic data(gender,age,marriage,duration of SCZ,years of education)and clinical data(prevalence of NAFLD,body mass index,liver enzyme,total cholesterol,HDL,triglycerides,Apo A1,Apo B,uric acid and fasting glucose)were collected anonymously from 133 newly admitted SCZ patients in Anhui Mental Health Center.Plasma oxytocin levels were measured by double antibody sandwich assay using a human oxytocin ELISA kit(Shanghai Jianlei Biologicals).The subjects were divided into NAFLD and Non-NAFLD groups according to the presence or absence of NAFLD.Differences between the two groups were observed by comparison of baseline information.Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between the variables and NAFLD.Logstic regression analysis was used to explore the influence factors of NAFLD.Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was used to evaluate the clinical predictive value of the influence factors.Results: A total of 133 subjects(49 males and 84 females)were included in this study,and the prevalence of NAFLD was 46.62%.The NAFLD group(24 males and 38 females)had a higher mean age,BMI,serum glutamyl transpeptidase,triglyceride,apolipoprotein B levels and fasting glucose,and significantly lower serum oxytocin,apolipoprotein A1 and HDL levels(all P < 0.05).Comparison of baseline data between men and women revealed no significant differences in prevalence of NAFLD and oxytocin levels(all P > 0.05).Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed that age(r=0.237,P=0.006),BMI(r=0.491,P<0.001),triglycerides(r=0.313,P < 0.001),apolipoprotein B(r=0.216,P=0.013)and fasting glucose(r=0.173,P=0.047)were positively associated with NAFLD.The oxytocin(r=-0.215,P=0.013),HDL(r=-0.197,P=0.023),and Apo A1(r=-0.202,P=0.020)were all negatively associated with NAFLD.The Logstic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.056,95% CI=1.018-1.096,P=0.004),BMI(OR=1.478,95% CI=1.248-1.751,P<0.001)and triglycerides(OR=2.215,95% CI=1.205-4.073,P=0.010)were risk factors for the NAFLD;oxytocin(OR=0.984,95% CI=0.970-0.998,P=0.026)and apolipoprotein A1(OR=0.040,95% CI=0.004-0.370,P=0.005)were protective factors for the NAFLD.The ROC curve showed that age ≥ 35 years,oxytocin ≤ 121.05 pg/m L,BMI ≥ 23.27 kg/m~2,triglycerides ≥1.10 mmol/ L and apolipoprotein A1 ≤1.29 g/L may be predictive of increased risk of NAFLD in unmedicated patients with SCZ.Conclusion: Patients with SCZ exhibit a high prevalence of NAFLD,and decreased oxytocin levels,advanced age,weight gain,increased triglyceride levels,and decreased apolipoprotein A1 levels may be predictive of an increased risk of NAFLD in patients with SCZ.There may be a potential link between oxytocin and NAFLD and its associated influencing factors.This provides a theoretical basis for future studies and suggests that emphasis should be placed on strengthening physical activity and dietary control in patients with SCZ and regular monitoring of the above influencing factors to reduce the risk of NAFLD.