Correlation between psychiatric symptoms and semi-essential amino acid levels in patients with schizophrenia

Yingying Dong; Jun LI; Qingyan MA; Min Jia; Wenhui Jiang; Xiancang MA; Chengge Gao; Wei Wang

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Correlation between psychiatric symptoms and semi-essential amino acid levels in patients with schizophrenia

VernacularTitle:精神分裂症患者精神症状与血清半必需氨基酸水平的相关性研究
Author: Yingying DONG ¹ ; Jun LI ² ; Qingyan MA ¹ ; Min JIA ¹ ; Wenhui JIANG ¹ ; Xiancang MA ¹ ; Chengge GAO ¹ ; Wei WANG ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061
2. Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Afiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: schizophrenia; psychiatric symptom; semi-essential amino acid; arginine; histidine
From: Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(2):298-304
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: 【Objective】 To elucidate the possible role of arginine and histidine in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by exploring the serum levels of semi-essential amino acids (arginine and histidine) in patients with schizophrenia and their correlation with psychiatric symptoms. 【Methods】 We selected 72 inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from March 2021 to October 2022 and 72 healthy volunteers enrolled in Yanta Community during the same period as the research subjects. Serum arginine and histidine levels were measured in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls using serum liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We used the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) to evaluate the mental symptoms of patients with schizophrenia and analyzed the correlation of serum arginine and histidine levels with disease course, frequency of onset, and PANSS score. 【Results】 The levels of serum arginine (P<0.001) and histidine (P=0.011) in the schizophrenia group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of serum arginine and histidine were significantly negatively correlated with the frequency of onset (rs=-0.410, rs=-0.262), total score of PANSS (rs=-0.298, rs=-0.256), positive factors (rs=-0.299, rs=-0.234) and cognitive impairment factors (rs=-0.251, rs=-0.296). In addition, serum arginine levels had significantly negative correlation with anxiety and depression factors (rs=-0.269, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The serum levels of arginine and histidine in patients with schizophrenia are significantly lower than those in healthy individuals, and are negatively correlated with overall mental symptoms, severity of positive symptoms and cognitive impairment. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms is negatively correlated with arginine levels. The detection of serum arginine and histidine can provide reference for the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of schizophrenia in the future.