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Chen P, Chen W, Xu L, Luan L, Peng R, Zhang X, Yang H. Decreased serum VEGF and NRG1β1 levels in male patients with chronic schizophrenia: VEGF correlation with clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 176:85-92. [PMID: 38850582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
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). CONCLUSION 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, PR China.
| | - Wanming Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated KangDa College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222003, PR China; Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, PR China.
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated KangDa College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222003, PR China; Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225003, PR China.
| | - Lingshu Luan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated KangDa College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222003, PR China.
| | - Ruijie Peng
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, PR China.
| | - Xiaobin Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, PR China.
| | - Haidong Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Fourth People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated KangDa College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222003, PR China.
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Sikiric P, Boban Blagaic A, Strbe S, Beketic Oreskovic L, Oreskovic I, Sikiric S, Staresinic M, Sever M, Kokot A, Jurjevic I, Matek D, Coric L, Krezic I, Tvrdeic A, Luetic K, Batelja Vuletic L, Pavic P, Mestrovic T, Sjekavica I, Skrtic A, Seiwerth S. The Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Pleiotropic Beneficial Activity and Its Possible Relations with Neurotransmitter Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:461. [PMID: 38675421 PMCID: PMC11053547 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We highlight the particular aspects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 pleiotropic beneficial activity (not destroyed in human gastric juice, native and stable in human gastric juice, as a cytoprotection mediator holds a response specifically related to preventing or recovering damage as such) and its possible relations with neurotransmitter activity. We attempt to resolve the shortage of the pleiotropic beneficial effects of BPC 157, given the general standard neurotransmitter criteria, in classic terms. We substitute the lack of direct conclusive evidence (i.e., production within the neuron or present in it as a precursor molecule, released eliciting a response on the receptor on the target cells on neurons and being removed from the site of action once its signaling role is complete). This can be a network of interconnected evidence, previously envisaged in the implementation of the cytoprotection effects, consistent beneficial particular evidence that BPC 157 therapy counteracts dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA, adrenalin/noradrenalin, acetylcholine, and NO-system disturbances. This specifically includes counteraction of those disturbances related to their receptors, both blockade and over-activity, destruction, depletion, tolerance, sensitization, and channel disturbances counteraction. Likewise, BPC 157 activates particular receptors (i.e., VGEF and growth hormone). Furthermore, close BPC 157/NO-system relations with the gasotransmitters crossing the cell membrane and acting directly on molecules inside the cell may envisage particular interactions with receptors on the plasma membrane of their target cells. Finally, there is nerve-muscle relation in various muscle disturbance counteractions, and nerve-nerve relation in various encephalopathies counteraction, which is also exemplified specifically by the BPC 157 therapy application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Alenka Boban Blagaic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sanja Strbe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Lidija Beketic Oreskovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ivana Oreskovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Suncana Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Staresinic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Sever
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonio Kokot
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Jurjevic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Danijel Matek
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Luka Coric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ivan Krezic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ante Tvrdeic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Kresimir Luetic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Lovorka Batelja Vuletic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Predrag Pavic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Mestrovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivica Sjekavica
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.B.); (S.S.); (L.B.O.); (I.O.); (S.S.); (M.S.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (I.J.); (D.M.); (L.C.); (I.K.); (A.T.); (K.L.); (L.B.V.); (P.P.); (T.M.); (I.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Ye J, Wei Y, Zeng J, Gao Y, Tang X, Xu L, Hu Y, Liu X, Liu H, Chen T, Li C, Zeng L, Wang J, Zhang T. Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Subtypes of Clinical High Risk Individuals: A Prospective Cohort Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1711-1723. [PMID: 37546519 PMCID: PMC10402730 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s418381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Numerous studies have established the roles of inflammation and angioneurins in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCZ). This study aimed to compare the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis or SCZ at baseline and one year after treatment. Methods A total of 289 CHR participants from the Shanghai At Risk for Psychosis Extended Program (SHARP) were tracked for a year. They were divided into two and four subtypes based on symptom severity according to the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS) and received standard medical care. At baseline and one-year follow-up, TNF-α and VEGF were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and pathological features were assessed using the Global Assessment of Function (GAF) score. Results Baseline TNF-α levels did not differ significantly, while VEGF levels were lower in patients with more severe symptoms. VEGF showed a negative correlation with negative features, both overall (r = -0.212, p = 0.010) and in the subgroup with higher positive scores (r = -0.370, p = 0.005). TNF-α was positively correlated with negative symptoms in the subgroup with higher negative scores (r = 0.352, p = 0.002). A three-way multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that participants in Subtype 1 of positive or negative symptoms performed better than those in Subtype 2, with significant main effects and interactions of group and both cytokines. Discussion TNF-α and VEGF levels are higher and lower, respectively, in CHR patients with more severe clinical symptoms, particularly negative symptoms, which point to a worsening inflammatory and vascular status in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaYi Ye
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - YanYan Wei
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - JiaHui Zeng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - YuQing Gao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiaoChen Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - LiHua Xu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - YeGang Hu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiaoHua Liu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - HaiChun Liu
- Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Big Data Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - ChunBo Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
| | - LingYun Zeng
- Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, ShenZhen, GuangDong, People’s Republic of China
| | - JiJun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - TianHong Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China
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Khan MM, Parikh V. Prospects for Neurotrophic Factor-Based Early Intervention in Schizophrenia: Lessons Learned from the Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs on Cognition, Neurogenesis, and Neurotrophic Factors. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2023; 22:289-303. [PMID: 35366786 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220401124151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although reducing psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia has been a major focus of therapeutic interventions for decades, improving cognition is considered a better predictor of functional outcomes. However, the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs (APDs) show only marginal beneficial effects on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. The neural mechanisms underlying cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia remain unknown that making drug development efforts very challenging. Since neurotrophic factors are the primary architects of neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, the findings from preclinical and clinical studies that assess changes in neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors and their relationship to cognitive performance in schizophrenia, and how these mechanisms might be impacted by APD treatment, may provide valuable clues in developing therapies to combat cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Numerous evidence produced over the years suggests a deficit in a wide spectrum of neurotrophic factors in schizophrenia. Since schizophrenia is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, early intervention with neurotrophic factors may be more effective in ameliorating the cognitive deficits and psychopathological symptoms associated with this pathology. In this context, results from initial clinical trials with neurotrophic factors and their future potential to improve cognition and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Khan
- Laboratory of Translational Neurology and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Biotechnology, Era\'s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Faculty of Science, Era University, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Chukaew P, Bunmak N, Auampradit N, Siripaiboonkij A, Saengsawang W, Ratta‐apha W. Correlation of
BDNF
,
VEGF
,
TNF
‐α, and
S100B
with cognitive impairments in chronic, medicated schizophrenia patients. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2022; 42:281-287. [PMID: 35733332 PMCID: PMC9515706 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a prominent cause of disability in schizophrenia. Although antipsychotic drugs can rescue the psychotic symptoms, the cognitive impairments persist, with no treatment available. Alterations of BDNF, VEGF, TNF‐α, and S100B have been linked to cognitive impairment in several neurological disorders. However, it remains unclear whether their levels are correlated with the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients. Forty‐one chronic, medicated schizophrenia patients were included in this study. Enzyme‐linked, immunosorbent assays were used to measure the serum concentrations of BDNF, VEGF, TNF‐α, and S100B. Associations between serum protein levels and various domains of the cognitive functions of the schizophrenia patients were observed. We found significant, positive correlations between serum BDNF and the processing speed and attention levels of the patients. Serum VEGF was also positively correlated with their memory and learning functions. In contrast, serum S100B and TNF‐α were negatively correlated with the processing speed and attention of the schizophrenia patients. The findings warrant further investigation of these molecules as potential prognostic markers or treatment targets for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients. Associations between serum protein levels and domains of the cognitive functions of the schizophrenia patients were investigated. The results show 1) positive correlations between serum BDNF and the processing speed and attention levels, 2) positive correlations between serum VEGF and the memory and learning functions, and 3) negative correlation between serum S100B and TNF‐α and the processing speed and attention.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Phatcharee Chukaew
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Nutthaya Bunmak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Natchaphon Auampradit
- Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Apinya Siripaiboonkij
- Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Witchuda Saengsawang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
- Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Science Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Woraphat Ratta‐apha
- Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
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Schizophrenia-derived hiPSC brain microvascular endothelial-like cells show impairments in angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier function. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3708-3718. [PMID: 35705634 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01653-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder, affecting 1% of the world population. Long-standing clinical observations and molecular data have pointed to a possible vascular deficiency that could be acting synergistically with neuronal dysfunction in SZ. As SZ is a neurodevelopmental disease, the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) allows disease biology modeling while retaining the patient's unique genetic signature. Previously, we reported a VEGFA signaling impairment in SZ-hiPSC-derived neural lineages leading to decreased angiogenesis. Here, we present a functional characterization of SZ-derived brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (BEC), the counterpart of the neurovascular crosstalk, revealing an intrinsically defective blood-brain barrier (BBB) phenotype. Transcriptomic assessment of genes related to endothelial function among three control (Ctrl BEC) and five schizophrenia patients derived BEC (SZP BEC), revealed that SZP BEC have a distinctive expression pattern of angiogenic and BBB-associated genes. Functionally, SZP BEC showed a decreased angiogenic response in vitro and higher transpermeability than Ctrl BEC. Immunofluorescence staining revealed less expression and altered distribution of tight junction proteins in SZP BEC. Moreover, SZP BEC's conditioned media reduced barrier capacities in the brain microvascular endothelial cell line HCMEC/D3 and in an in vivo permeability assay in mice. Overall, our results describe an intrinsic failure of SZP BEC for proper barrier function. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis tracing schizophrenia origins to brain development and BBB dysfunction.
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Casas BS, Arancibia-Altamirano D, Acevedo-La Rosa F, Garrido-Jara D, Maksaev V, Pérez-Monje D, Palma V. It takes two to tango: Widening our understanding of the onset of schizophrenia from a neuro-angiogenic perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:946706. [PMID: 36092733 PMCID: PMC9448889 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.946706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating mental disorder characterized by perturbations in thinking, perception, and behavior, along with brain connectivity deficiencies, neurotransmitter dysfunctions, and loss of gray brain matter. To date, schizophrenia has no cure and pharmacological treatments are only partially efficacious, with about 30% of patients describing little to no improvement after treatment. As in most neurological disorders, the main descriptions of schizophrenia physiopathology have been focused on neural network deficiencies. However, to sustain proper neural activity in the brain, another, no less important network is operating: the vast, complex and fascinating vascular network. Increasing research has characterized schizophrenia as a systemic disease where vascular involvement is important. Several neuro-angiogenic pathway disturbances have been related to schizophrenia. Alterations, ranging from genetic polymorphisms, mRNA, and protein alterations to microRNA and abnormal metabolite processing, have been evaluated in plasma, post-mortem brain, animal models, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models. During embryonic brain development, the coordinated formation of blood vessels parallels neuro/gliogenesis and results in the structuration of the neurovascular niche, which brings together physical and molecular signals from both systems conforming to the Blood-Brain barrier. In this review, we offer an upfront perspective on distinctive angiogenic and neurogenic signaling pathways that might be involved in the biological causality of schizophrenia. We analyze the role of pivotal angiogenic-related pathways such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and HIF signaling related to hypoxia and oxidative stress events; classic developmental pathways such as the NOTCH pathway, metabolic pathways such as the mTOR/AKT cascade; emerging neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative processes such as UPR, and also discuss non-canonic angiogenic/axonal guidance factor signaling. Considering that all of the mentioned above pathways converge at the Blood-Brain barrier, reported neurovascular alterations could have deleterious repercussions on overall brain functioning in schizophrenia.
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Aerobic Exercise Prevents Depression via Alleviating Hippocampus Injury in Chronic Stressed Depression Rats. Brain Sci 2020; 11:brainsci11010009. [PMID: 33374661 PMCID: PMC7822431 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Depression is one of the overwhelming public health problems. Alleviating hippocampus injury may prevent depression development. Herein, we established the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and aimed to investigate whether aerobic exercise (AE) could alleviate CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and hippocampus injury. (2) Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, CUMS, CUMS + 7 days AE, CUMS + 14 days AE). Rats with AE treatments were subjected to 45 min treadmill per day. (3) Results: AE intervention significantly improved CUMS-induced depressive behaviors, e.g., running square numbers and immobility time assessed by the open field and forced swimming test, suppressed hippocampal neuron apoptosis, reduced levels of phosphorylation of NMDA receptor and homocysteine in hippocampus, as well as serum glucocorticoids, compared to the CUMS rats. In contrast, AE upregulated phosphorylation of AMPAR receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) hippocampus in CUMS depression rats. The 14 day-AE treatment exhibited better performance than 7 day-AE on the improvement of the hippocampal function. (4) Conclusion: AE might be an efficient strategy for prevention of CUMS-induced depression via ameliorating hippocampus functions. Underlying mechanisms may be related with glutamatergic system, the neurotoxic effects of homocysteine, and/or influences in glucocorticoids-BDNF expression interaction.
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Luo J, Tang C, Chen X, Ren Z, Qu H, Chen R, Tong Z. Impacts of Aerobic Exercise on Depression-Like Behaviors in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Mice and Related Factors in the AMPK/PGC-1α Pathway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062042. [PMID: 32204452 PMCID: PMC7142893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study was to study the impact of aerobic exercises on the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice, and to discuss the possible mechanism from the skeletal muscle AMPK/PGC-1α energy metabolism signaling pathway. The healthy male mice were randomly divided into Control Group (CG), Model Group (MG), and Model Exercise Group (ME).Twelve stress methods were adopted for four weeks (28 days) to establish the depression model. ME was subject to aerobic training plan after the model was established. The weight of the mice was recorded weekly. After the experimental intervention, the three groups of mice were subjected to behavioral assessment tests. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and ELISA were performed to test AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α, and ATP in skeletal muscle. There were no significant difference in body weight between the three groups. CUMS leaded to significant decline in behavioral scores. and the p-AMPK and PGC-1α decreased significantly. But boosted ATP content. Aerobic exercise enhanced the expressions of p-AMPK and PGC-1α, increased the ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK, boosted ATP content. And improved behavioral scores significantly. Chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior was improved significantly by Aerobic exercise. The mechanism of aerobic exercise for improving depressive symptoms in mice with chronic stress depression may be related to influence AMPK/PGC-1α pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Key Laboratory of Kinesiology Evaluation and Recovery of General Administration of Sport of China, Sports Science institute of Hunan, Changsha 410012, China;
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Changfa Tang
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Xiaobin Chen
- Department of Sports and Health, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China;
| | - Zhanbing Ren
- Department of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0755-2653-4772
| | - Honglin Qu
- Department of Physical Education, Yichun College, Yichun 336000, China;
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
| | - Zhen Tong
- Department of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410012, China; (C.T.); (R.C.); (Z.T.)
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Zhao Y, Xiao W, Chen K, Zhan Q, Ye F, Tang X, Zhang X. Neurocognition and social cognition in remitted first-episode schizophrenia: correlation with VEGF serum levels. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:403. [PMID: 31842818 PMCID: PMC6915945 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in many neurobiological processes potentially contributes to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, particularly cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in neurocognition, social cognition and VEGF among remitted first-episode schizophrenic patients, non-remitters and normal control subjects. Moreover, we investigated the association between serum VEGF levels and cognitive functions. METHOD 65 remission (RS) and 45 nonremission patients (NRS) after first-episode schizophrenia, as well as 58 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Social cognition was assessed using the Chinese Facial Emotion Test (CFET); neurocognition was measured with a test battery consisting of Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, Verbal Fluency Test, Trail Making Tests, Digit Span Tests (DST) and Stroop Tests. Blood samples were collected for VEGF measurements. Data was analyzed with SPSS 22.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS On nearly all neurocognitive tests (except for DST), RS performed significantly worse than HC but better than NRS (P < 0.05). NRS, but not RS, exhibited markedly poorer social cognition than HC (except for Happiness and Surprise subscales of the CFET) (P < 0.05). VEGF levels showed a gradient change among three groups (HC > RS > NRS). CONCLUSION Compared to HC, RS demonstrated poorer neurocognitive but intact social cognition functioning. These results indicate that VEGF levels decreased gradually with the severity of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. VEGF may be involved in the pathological mechanism of cognitive performance in RS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Zhao
- grid.268415.cDepartment of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhuan Xiao
- grid.268415.cDepartment of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Kuanyu Chen
- 0000 0001 0238 8414grid.411440.4Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313000 Zhejiang China
| | - Qiongqiong Zhan
- grid.268415.cDepartment of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Ye
- grid.268415.cDepartment of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- 0000 0000 9255 8984grid.89957.3aNanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Xiaobin Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated WuTaiShan Hospital of Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225003, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Mental Health, Suzhou Psychiatric Hospital, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215137, People's Republic of China. .,School of mental health, Jining medical University, Jining, 272000, Shandong, China.
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