Increased serum levels of spectrin degradation products in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

AbstractObjective:Under various patho-physiological and physiological conditions, spectrin breakdown reactions generate several spectrin breakdown products of 120 kDa (SBDP120) and 145 kDa (SBDP145). Previous studies indicating that there is the existence of a raised breakdown of α-spectrin in schizophrenic left superior temporal cortices. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum levels of SBDP120 and SBDP145, which has not been previously examined, and investigate their relationships with clinical parameters in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Forty-four patients with schizophrenia, followed by psychotic disorders unit, and 44 healthy controls, age and gender-matched volunteers with no psychiatric history, were included in this study. Sociodemographic form was applied to both groups. Turkish version of positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were implemented to the patients. Serum SBDP120 and SBDP145 levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay.Results:Serum SBDP120 ng/mL and SBDP145 ng/mL levels of the patients with schizophrenia were significantly higher than healthy controls. Even more important, serum SBDP120 levels were positively correlated with PANSS scores in patients with schizophrenia.Conclusions:These findings may provide evidence for disturbance of neuroplasticity, membrane/cytoskeleton stability, dynamics, and remodelling in schizophrenia patients and support the neurogenerative theories for explaining the etiology of schizophrenia.