METHODS: This is a cross-sectional investigation. Peripheral blood samples were gathered from normal controls (NC, n=37), as well as individuals with schizophrenia, including first episode (n=30) and recurrent (n=30) cases. We employed western blot and ELISA techniques to quantify TRPV1, cannabinoid receptors 1(CB1), anandamide (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and assess the severity of the patient\'s symptoms by means of the PANSS scale.
RESULTS: Compared to NC, TRPV1 levels showed a noticeable decrease in both first episode schizophrenia (f-SCZ group) and recurrent schizophrenia (r-SCZ group) subjects. Additionally, CB1 levels appeared increased in f-SCZ group. Furthermore, 2-AG levels were found to be elevated in both f-SCZ group and r-SCZ group compared to NC, whereas AEA levels were decreased in f-SCZ group but increased in r-SCZ group. Moreover, among schizophrenia patients, TRPV1 demonstrated a negative correlation with negative symptoms. Within r-SCZ subjects, CB1 displayed a negative correlation with relapse number, while 2-AG showed a correlation in the opposite direction.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial clinical evidence of changed TRPV1 expression in schizophrenia, potentially linked to negative symptoms. These results suggest a possible dysfunction of TRPV1 and the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which might offer new avenues for medical interventions.
方法:这是一项横断面调查。从正常对照组收集外周血样本(NC,n=37),以及精神分裂症患者,包括首发(n=30)和复发(n=30)例。我们采用蛋白质印迹和ELISA技术定量TRPV1,大麻素受体1(CB1),anandamide(AEA),和2-花生四酰基甘油(2-AG),并通过PANSS量表评估患者症状的严重程度。
结果:与NC相比,TRPV1水平在首发精神分裂症(f-SCZ组)和复发性精神分裂症(r-SCZ组)受试者中均显示出显着下降。此外,f-SCZ组CB1水平升高。此外,与NC相比,f-SCZ组和r-SCZ组的2-AG水平均升高,f-SCZ组AEA水平降低,r-SCZ组AEA水平升高。此外,在精神分裂症患者中,TRPV1与阴性症状呈负相关。在r-SCZ受试者中,CB1与复发次数呈负相关,而2-AG显示出相反方向的相关性。
结论:这项研究提供了精神分裂症中TRPV1表达改变的初步临床证据,可能与阴性症状有关。这些结果表明,TRPV1和内源性大麻素系统(ECS)可能存在功能障碍,这可能为医疗干预提供新的途径。