Nitric oxide serum levels in schizophrenia subtypes and it's relationship with clinical variables

II. SUMMARYNitric Oxide Serum Levels In Schizophrenia Subtypes And It?s Relationship WithClinical VariablesBackground: Recently, the studies regarding NO to examine the pathophysiology ofvarious psychiatric disorders have been focused. It is suggested NO being important in theetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. In the present study, serum NO levels and its relationshipwith clinical variables in schizophrenia subtypes were evaluated.Methods: The study group was composed of 21 paranoid type schizophrenic patients, 20disorganized type schizophrenic patients, 19 undifferentiated type schizophrenic patients and 16residuel type schizophrenic patients according to DSM-IV who applied to Firat University Schoolof Medicine Department of Psychiatry, and 25 healthy control subjects. In the patients, four-week wash-out period was carried out. The patients were administered sociodemographical andclinical data form and Brief Psyhiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Blood samples were obtained fromthe patients and controls between 08.00-11.00 hours. Afterwards, serum NO were determined.Results: The comparison of schizophrenic patients and healthy controls has showed thatserum levels of NO in schizophrenic patients are higher than healthy ones. In all subtypes ofschizophrenia, serum NO levels have been found higher than controls and the least differencesfor NO values between schizophrenic patients and controls are seemed to be in undifferentiatedsubtype of schizophrenia. The comparison of paranoid subtype and controls indicated the greatestdifference for NO values. In this study, no significant correlation was found between serum NOlevels and sex, age, education level, smoking history or attack issues. In addition, there was asignificant positive correlation between serum NO levels and duration of illnes in residualsubtype.We also found a significant positive corelation between serum NO levels and duration ofillness in paranoid subtype of schizophrenia.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that NO may have an important role for explaining theethiopathophysiology of schizophrenia. In addition, due to the usage of NO as a confidentialparameter for clinical characteristics, classification and prognosis in schizophrenia, it has beenneeded to determine further studies in future.Key Words: Schizophrenia, nitric oxide, residual, paranoid, undifferentiated,pathophysiology.2