Objectives: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the rate limiting enzyme of the hexose monophosphate cascade which plays role in the synthesis of nucleotide, reduced glutathion, fatty acid and cholesterol precursors. At the same time, it is an important enzyme for neuronal development during and after fetal life and for neurotransmitters. Serum elements are necessary for neuronal development and synthesis and activity of enzymes and hormones. The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of some elements and G6PD enzyme activity in schizophrenic patients with those in healthy individuals.
Methods: This study involved blood serum analysis of 32 schizophrenia patients and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Copper, zinc, iron, magnesium levels were determined with a double lighted, deuterium sourced, background proof reading fire atomic spectrophotometer and in order to determine aluminum and manganese levels, a graphite tube atomizer spectroscope was used. G6PD enzyme activity was analyzed by the Glock and Mclean Method.
Results: This analysis revealed higher levels of G6PD activity, copper, iron, magnesium and aluminum in schizophrenia patients compared to controls, whereas zinc and manganese levels showed a decreasing trend on the contrary.
Discussion: The higher levels of G6PD activity in schizophrenic patients is not consistent with the literature in general. It is considered that results on G6PD and element levels may be explained as the effects of specific hormones, antipsychotic medications, or by schizophrenia itself.
Conclusion: The elements we investigated and G6PD are important for the antioxidant system. Thus changing levels of elements in patients with schizophrenia may lead to disturbed functions of antioxidant enzymes and G6PD. Further researches on this subject conducted with larger and drug naïve patient groups are needed.
Key words: Schizophrenia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, serum element level
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