Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase levels in brains of patients with schizophrenic psychosis

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2004 Sep;111(9):1191-201. doi: 10.1007/s00702-004-0160-9. Epub 2004 Jun 21.

Abstract

Impaired oxidative stress defense has been reported in blood of both drug-naïve and antipsychotic-treated patients suffering from schizophrenic psychosis, indicating the involvement of free radical metabolism in the pathogenetic processes of schizophrenia. In this study, the concentrations of two isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu, Zn- and MnSOD, were determined with ELISA in various cortical (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital cortex) and subcortical areas (putamen, caudate nucleus, thalamus, and substantia innominata) of post-mortem brain tissue from patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and compared with those of controls. Post-mortem brain tissue from individuals without neuropsychiatric disorders served for control. Cu, Zn- and MnSOD levels were significantly increased in frontal cortex and substantia innominata of the index group, respectively. In all other areas both types of SOD remained virtually unchanged. Detection of SOD changes in the brain supports previous reports of alterations of antioxidant indices in blood cells of patients with schizophrenia and suggests a specific neuroanatomical distribution pattern of oxidative stress processes possibly related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brain / enzymology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / enzymology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Schizophrenia / enzymology*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Substantia Innominata / enzymology
  • Substantia Innominata / physiopathology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / chemistry
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / physiology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Isoenzymes
  • Superoxide Dismutase