OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of MTHFR gene on schizophrenia and its cognitive function.

METHODSWe recruited 254 schizophrenia patients with stable condition, 339 healthy controls for genetic analysis and 72 healthy controls for cognitive evaluation. The repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) was used for cognitive measurement. PCR-RFLP technique was carried out to genotype 677C/T polymorphism.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in genotypic or allelic frequencies of the 677C/T polymorphism between the case and control groups (P> 0.05). In the RBANS, patients had higher scores of immediate memory, visuospatial skill, language, attention, delayed memory and total scores than healthy controls (P< 0.01); Patients with different genotypes of 677C/T polymorphism had significant differences in the scores of immediate memory, attention and total scores (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results did not provide evidence for MTHFR gene conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, there was a significant association between the MTHFR gene and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia, especially in immediate memory and attention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cognition ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Schizophrenic Psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the separation and purification technology of total saponins from the root of Thladiantha dubia (TSTR). METHODS: The content of TSTR was determined by UV-visible spectrophotometry. By comparing static adsorption and desorption properties of different types (AB-8, D101, DM130, HPD100, HPD300, HPD450, HPD600, HPD826, NKA-9) of macroporous adsorption resin, the type of macroporous adsorption resin was screened. With the content of TSTR as the index, influential factors of macroporous adsorption resin for adsorbing (ratio of height to diameter of resin, mass concentration of medicine liquid, adsorption volume flow, saturated extent of adsorption) and desorbing (desorption solvent volume fraction, desorption solvent volume flow, volume of desorbed solvent) TSTR were investigated. The optimal technology was screened. The technology validation, purification and preparation were conducted. RESULTS: HPD100 type macroporous adsorption resin had good adsorption and desorption properties for TSTR. The optimal adsorption technology was that the ratio of the height to diameter of the resin column was 1:5; mass concentration of medicine liquid was 1 g/mL; adsorption volume flow rate was 1 BV/h; saturated adsorption capacity was 1. 25 g per 1 g HPD100 resin; the optimal desorption technology was that the volume fraction of desorption solvent ethanol was 75％; volume flow rate of desorption was 3 BV/h; the volume of desorption solvent was 5 BV. The average desorption retention rate of TSTR was 77. 96％ in technology validation (RSD=0. 46％, n=3) and the purity of prepared TSTR in TSTR dry cream was 52. 47％ (RSD =1. 53％, n=3). CONCLUSIONS: The optimal purification technology is stable, feasible and suitable for the separation and purification of TSTR.