背景:据报道,血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和神经调节素1(NRG1)是精神分裂症患者的多功能营养因子。然而,血清浓度与精神分裂症症状之间的关系在研究中有着明显的不同,可能是因为精神分裂症是一种高度异质性的疾病。这项研究的目的是调查血清VEGF和NRG1与慢性精神分裂症男性患者的临床症状和认知障碍的关系。
方法:本研究包括79名男性慢性精神分裂症患者和79名匹配的健康个体。血清VEGF,NRG1β1,S100B,S100A8和Neuropilin1使用Luminex液体悬浮芯片检测方法进行测量,使用阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)的精神病理学症状严重程度,使用可重复电池评估神经心理状态(RBANS)和认知功能障碍。
结果:男性慢性精神分裂症患者血清VEGF和NRG1β1浓度明显低于健康对照组(P<0.05),而血清S100B,S100A8和Neuropilin1浓度在组间没有差异(P>0.05)。血清VEGF浓度与PANSS阴性评分呈负相关(β=-0.220,t=-2.07,P=0.042),一般精神病理学亚分(β=-0.269,t=-2.55,P=0.013),和总分(β=-0.234,t=-2.12,P=0.038),与RBANS语言评分呈正相关(β=0.218,t=2.03,P=0.045)。或者,血清NRG1β1浓度与临床症状及认知障碍无相关性(均P>0.05)。
结论:VEGF和NRG1β1信号调节异常可能与男性慢性精神分裂症的发病有关。此外,异常的VEGF信号可能直接或通过中间过程导致神经精神和认知症状的表达。
BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and neuregulin1 (NRG1) are multifunctional trophic factors reported to be dysregulated in schizophrenia. However, the relationships between serum concentrations and schizophrenia symptoms have differed markedly across studies, possibly because schizophrenia is a highly heterogenous disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of serum VEGF and NRG1 with clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits specifically in male patients with chronic schizophrenia.
METHODS: The study included 79 male patients with chronic schizophrenia and 79 matched healthy individuals. Serum VEGF, NRG1β1, S100B, S100A8, and neuropilin1 were measured using the Luminex liquid suspension chip detection method, psychopathological symptom severity using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), and cognitive dysfunction using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).
RESULTS: Serum VEGF and NRG1β1 concentrations were significantly lower in male chronic schizophrenic patients than healthy controls (P < 0.05), while serum S100B, S100A8, and neuropilin1 concentrations did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Serum VEGF concentration was negatively correlated with PANSS negative subscore (beta = -0.220, t = -2.07, P = 0.042), general psychopathology subscore (beta = -0.269, t = -2.55, P = 0.013), and total score (beta = -0.234, t = -2.12, P = 0.038), and positively correlated with RBANS language score (beta = 0.218, t = 2.03, P = 0.045). Alternatively, serum NRG1β1 concentration was not correlated with clinical symptoms or cognitive deficits (all P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulation of VEGF and NRG1β1 signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic schizophrenia in males. Moreover, abnormal VEGF signaling may contribute directly or through intermediary processes to neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptom expression.