UC San Diego

Background

Schizophrenia is one of the most disabling psychiatric disorders with increased morbidity and mortality. Both schizophrenia and oxidative stress have been associated with accelerated aging. Previous studies found increased oxidative stress in individuals with schizophrenia, though only one study measured F2-isoprostanes and did so in urine. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to assess plasma F2-isoprostane levels, the putative gold standard measure of systemic oxidative stress in vivo, in schizophrenia.

Methods

We compared plasma F2-isoprostane levels in 134 stable outpatients with schizophrenia and 120 age- and gender-matched healthy comparison (HC) subjects. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected in both groups.

Results

Plasma F2-isoprostane levels were significantly higher in the schizophrenia group than in the HC group. Women had higher F2-isoprostane levels compared to men, and those with higher body mass index (BMI) had higher levels, within each group. F2-isoprostane levels correlated with BMI, physical functioning, and medical comorbidity but not with severity of psychopathology or executive function. Linear models showed significant effects of diagnosis, gender, and BMI on F2-isoprostane levels, but no interactions.

Discussion

Our finding of increased oxidative stress in schizophrenia is consistent with reports of increased morbidity and mortality as well as accelerated aging in schizophrenia. The significant associations between F2-isoprostane levels and both gender and BMI warrant further study.