NIACIN SKIN FLUSH TEST: A RESEARCH TOOL FOR STUDYING SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: A body of biochemical evidence suggests that abnormal phospholipid metabolism may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia, and possibly, other psychiatric and neurological diseases. Niacin, a B-complex vitamin, induces prostaglandin synthesis, vasodilatation, and skin flushing when applied as a solution on the skin or taken orally. In schizophrenia, diminished or absent skin response to niacin represents a robust finding. Results: Attenuated niacin skin-flush response has been analysed as a potential biochemical marker of impaired prostaglandin signaling in schizophrenia. Diminished skin redness after topical application of niacin might be caused by a reduced level of the precursor arachidonic acid in the peripheral membranes, increased activity of the enzyme phospholipase A2, abnormal expression of niacin or prostaglandin receptors, or poor vasomotor activity of cutaneous capillary walls. Heritability estimates established in several studies support niacin skin flush response as a vulnerability trait for the development of psychosis. However, the exact mechanism of a reduced skin flush, the possible influence of the long-term use of antipsychotics, and the usefulness of the test for diagnostic purpose are not clear yet. Conclusions: Niacin skin flush test is a simple, non-invasive and easily replicable method in the research of schizophrenia. The studies investigating niacin flushing in schizophrenia are numerous but incoherent regarding methods of niacin application and valuation of the results. New studies, controlling adequately for age, sex, drug abuse, diet, as well as genetic factors that may influence the ntensity and reaction time, are necessary to clarify the usefulness of niacin testing in psychiatry

An association between minor physical anomalies in schizophrenia and polymorphisms in phospholipase A2 genes

Cilj: Neurorazvojna hipoteza shizofrenije implicira abnormalnu regulaciju metaboličke kaskade arahidonske kiseline (AA), a minor anomalije (MA) navode se kao potencijalni markeri abnormalnog razvoja mozga. U radu je istražena moguća povezanost varijacija u trima genima iz superobitelji fosfolipaza (PLA2) čiji su produkti uključeni u signalni put AA s pojavom MA glave i lica u shizofrenih bolesnika. Metode: U istraživanje su uključena 63 ispitanika (32 žene i 31 muškarac) Klinike za psihijatriju KBC-a Rijeka s potvrđenom dijagnozom shizofrenije prema DMS-IV kriterijima. Procijenjeno je 30 varijabli koje opisuju varijacije lica, očiju, nosa, usnica, nepca, jezika i ušiju, te određen ukupan broj MA u svakog ispitanika. Polimorfi zme gena PLA2G4A (rs10798059, G/A ili BanI polimorfi zam), PLA2G6A (rs4375, C/T) i PLA2G4C (rs1549637, A/T) analizirali smo PCRRFLP metodom. Rezultati : Pronađena je stati sti čki značajna povezanost između zbroja MA i PLA2G4C genoti pa (tauPLA2G4C = 0,214; P = 0,014) pri čemu je medijan zbroja MA bio najviši u TT homozigota i iznosio 13 (raspon od 10 do 16). Također smo utvrdili stati sti čki rubno značajnu interakciju PLA2G4A i PLA2G6A genoti pova, pri čemu je najviši medijan zbroja MA nađen u homozigota GG/CC (14; raspon od 10 do 22), odnosno u odsutnosti PLA2G4A-A ili PLA2G6A-T alela (P = 0,058). Zaključak: Rezultati upućuju na moguću povezanost varijacija u genima uključenim u rani razvoj živčanog sustava s pojavom MA glave i lica u shizofrenih bolesnika.Aim: The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia implicates abnormal regulati on of the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolic cascade while minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are indicated as a potenti al markers of abnormal brain development in pati ents with schizophrenia. We tested whether risk for MPAs was associated with variati ons in three genes of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) superfamily as PLA2s play an important role in signaling pathway of AA. Methods: 63 pati ents (32 females and 31 males) from the Psychiatry Clinic, Clinical Medical Centre Rijeka, were recruited for this study; the diagnosis of schizophrenia was confi rmed using DSM-IV criteria. We investi gated 30 MPAs of the head and face regions, and correlated their total number with genotype and allelic variants of polymorphisms in genes PLA2G4A (rs10798059, G/A or BanI polymorphism), PLA2G6A (rs4375, C/T variation) and PLA2G4C (rs1549637, A/T variation). Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Results: Significant correlati on was found between MPA total score and PLA2G4C genotype (tauPLA2G4C=0,214; P=0,014); the highest median was found in TT homozygotes (13; range=10-16). A trend for synergisti c eff ect of two polymorphisms, each one in PLA2G4A and PLA2G6A genotypes, was also detected. The highest MPA score median was found in GG/CC homozygotes (14; range=10-22; P=0,058) or in the absence of PLA2G4A-A and PLA-2G6A-T alleles. Conclusions: The results suggested possible associati on between parti cular variati ons in the genes crucial during early development of central nervous system (genes of the PLA2 superfamily) with higher total number of MPAs of the head and face

Stable isotopes 2H and 18O in the diagnosis and study of obesity

Pretilost je bolest u kojoj dolazi do prekomjernog nakupljanja masnog tkiva, što rezultira negativnim utjecajem na zdravlje pojedinca I skraćenim životnim vijekom. Jedan od najvažnijih problema u dijagnostici i istraživanju pretilosti je odabir najboljih metoda za njeno određivanje. Upotrebom vode obilježene stabilnim izotopima vodika i kisika (2H i 18O) moguće je precizno determinirati količinu masne mase u ukupnoj tjelesnoj masi i pouzdano odrediti ukupnu potrošnju energije organizma u višednevnom kontinuiranom periodu. U razjašnjavanju patofiziologije i etiopatogeneze pretilosti od posebnog je značaja i korištenje 2H i/ili 18O u praćenju metabolizma lipida, osobito masnih kiselina i triglicerida. Primjena metoda u kojima se koristi voda obilježena izotopima 2H i 18O ne zahtijeva hospitalizaciju ispitanika, pogodna je za terenska istraživanja na velikom broju ispitanika i primjenjiva je u svim dobnim skupinama. Unatoč mnogobrojnim prednostima, metode koje koriste vodu obilježenu 2H i 18O u istraživanju pretilosti u nas još uvijek nisu dovoljno poznate. Cilj ovog rada je pojasniti i približiti ih hrvatskoj liječničkoj struci, ali i ostalim zainteresiranim znanstvenicima i stručnjacima, kako bi se što uspješnije mogli pratiti svjetski trendovi pristupa problemu prekomjerne tjelesne mase i pretilosti. Osim toga, u radu su kritički razmotrene i druge metode koje se najčešće koriste u dijagnostici i istraživanju pretilosti.Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting in negative impact on an individual’s health and shortened life span. One of the most important problems in the diagnosis and study of obesity is the selection of the best methods for its determination. Using water labeled with stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (2H and 18O) it is possible to accurately determine the share of adipose tissue in body mass and reliably determine total energy expenditure of the organism in a continuous period of several days. The use of 2H and/or 18O is of special importance in clarifying the pathophysiology and etiopathogenesis of obesity as well as in monitoring the metabolism of lipids, particularly fatty acids and triglycerides. Application of the method in which water labeled with isotopes 2H and 18O is used does not require the hospitalization of participants, is suitable for field research on a large number of subjects, and is applicable to all age groups. Despite many advantages, the methods in which 2H and 18O labeled water is used for the study of obesity are still not common in Croatia. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the Croatian medical profession, as well as other interested scientists and experts with the methods, in order to successfully follow global trends in the approach to the problem of excessive body weight and obesity. In addition, the paper critically discusses some other methods that are commonly used in the diagnosis and study of obesity

Stable isotopes 2H and 18O in the diagnosis and study of obesity

Pretilost je bolest u kojoj dolazi do prekomjernog nakupljanja masnog tkiva, što rezultira negativnim utjecajem na zdravlje pojedinca I skraćenim životnim vijekom. Jedan od najvažnijih problema u dijagnostici i istraživanju pretilosti je odabir najboljih metoda za njeno određivanje. Upotrebom vode obilježene stabilnim izotopima vodika i kisika (2H i 18O) moguće je precizno determinirati količinu masne mase u ukupnoj tjelesnoj masi i pouzdano odrediti ukupnu potrošnju energije organizma u višednevnom kontinuiranom periodu. U razjašnjavanju patofiziologije i etiopatogeneze pretilosti od posebnog je značaja i korištenje 2H i/ili 18O u praćenju metabolizma lipida, osobito masnih kiselina i triglicerida. Primjena metoda u kojima se koristi voda obilježena izotopima 2H i 18O ne zahtijeva hospitalizaciju ispitanika, pogodna je za terenska istraživanja na velikom broju ispitanika i primjenjiva je u svim dobnim skupinama. Unatoč mnogobrojnim prednostima, metode koje koriste vodu obilježenu 2H i 18O u istraživanju pretilosti u nas još uvijek nisu dovoljno poznate. Cilj ovog rada je pojasniti i približiti ih hrvatskoj liječničkoj struci, ali i ostalim zainteresiranim znanstvenicima i stručnjacima, kako bi se što uspješnije mogli pratiti svjetski trendovi pristupa problemu prekomjerne tjelesne mase i pretilosti. Osim toga, u radu su kritički razmotrene i druge metode koje se najčešće koriste u dijagnostici i istraživanju pretilosti.Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, resulting in negative impact on an individual’s health and shortened life span. One of the most important problems in the diagnosis and study of obesity is the selection of the best methods for its determination. Using water labeled with stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (2H and 18O) it is possible to accurately determine the share of adipose tissue in body mass and reliably determine total energy expenditure of the organism in a continuous period of several days. The use of 2H and/or 18O is of special importance in clarifying the pathophysiology and etiopathogenesis of obesity as well as in monitoring the metabolism of lipids, particularly fatty acids and triglycerides. Application of the method in which water labeled with isotopes 2H and 18O is used does not require the hospitalization of participants, is suitable for field research on a large number of subjects, and is applicable to all age groups. Despite many advantages, the methods in which 2H and 18O labeled water is used for the study of obesity are still not common in Croatia. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the Croatian medical profession, as well as other interested scientists and experts with the methods, in order to successfully follow global trends in the approach to the problem of excessive body weight and obesity. In addition, the paper critically discusses some other methods that are commonly used in the diagnosis and study of obesity

NIACIN SKIN FLUSH TEST: A RESEARCH TOOL FOR STUDYING SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: A body of biochemical evidence suggests that abnormal phospholipid metabolism may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia, and possibly, other psychiatric and neurological diseases. Niacin, a B-complex vitamin, induces prostaglandin synthesis, vasodilatation, and skin flushing when applied as a solution on the skin or taken orally. In schizophrenia, diminished or absent skin response to niacin represents a robust finding. Results: Attenuated niacin skin-flush response has been analysed as a potential biochemical marker of impaired prostaglandin signaling in schizophrenia. Diminished skin redness after topical application of niacin might be caused by a reduced level of the precursor arachidonic acid in the peripheral membranes, increased activity of the enzyme phospholipase A2, abnormal expression of niacin or prostaglandin receptors, or poor vasomotor activity of cutaneous capillary walls. Heritability estimates established in several studies support niacin skin flush response as a vulnerability trait for the development of psychosis. However, the exact mechanism of a reduced skin flush, the possible influence of the long-term use of antipsychotics, and the usefulness of the test for diagnostic purpose are not clear yet. Conclusions: Niacin skin flush test is a simple, non-invasive and easily replicable method in the research of schizophrenia. The studies investigating niacin flushing in schizophrenia are numerous but incoherent regarding methods of niacin application and valuation of the results. New studies, controlling adequately for age, sex, drug abuse, diet, as well as genetic factors that may influence the ntensity and reaction time, are necessary to clarify the usefulness of niacin testing in psychiatry

Low frequency of Y- chromosome microdeletions among infertile men from the North-Adriatic region of Croatia

Cilj: Otkrivanje mikrodelecije AZF (engl. azoospermia factor) područja kromosoma Y u muškaraca s teškim poremećajem spermatogeneze važno je zato što se metodama medicinski potpomognute oplodnje mikrodelecije prenesu na 100% muškog potomstva. Ispitanici i metode: Istražili smo prisutnost mikrodelecija Y kromosoma u 129 muškaraca s područja Istre i Primorja. Kliničke dijagnoze ispitanika bile su: azoospermija (N=33), teški oblik oligozoospermije (broj spermija manji od 5 milijuna/ml; N=25), oligozoospermija (N=47) i astenospermija (N=24). Neplodnost nepoznata uzroka imala su 84 ispitanika, dok su u ostalih utvrđeni još i hipogonadizam, kriptorhizam ili varikokela. Molekularno-genetička analiza napravljena pomoću četiri multipleks i jedne simpleks lančane reakcije polimeraze obuhvatila je 12 STS lokusa-biljega. Analizirani su STS-biljezi: sY84, sY86, sY127, sY134, sY254, sY255, kontrolni biljeg sY14 (SRY) i pseudoautosomski lokus ZFX/ZFY prema preporuci Europske androloške akademije. U ispitanika u kojih su pronađene mikrodelecije analizirani su dodatni STS-biljezi: sY87, sY88, sY114, sY135, sY152 i sY157 radi utvrđivanja njihova opsega. Rezultati: Mikrodelecije su pronađene u dva ispitanika (2/129 ili 1,55%). Obojica su imala kliničku dijagnozu idiopatske azoospermije. Učestalost mikrodelecija u grupi s azoospermijom iznosi 2/33 ili 6,06%, a u grupi s idiopatskom azoospermijom 2/18 ili 11,1%. Mikrodelecije nisu pronađene u ispitanika s ostalim dijagnozama neplodnosti, kao niti u kontrolnoj skupini muškaraca (N=100). U jednog ispitanika mikrodelecija je zahvatila AZFc potpodručje, dok se u drugoga proteže kroz AZFb i AZFc potpodručja. Zaključak: Učestalost mikrodelecija Y kromosoma niža je u našem uzorku ispitanika nego što je objavljeno za većinu europske populacije. U našoj populaciji pronalazak mikrodelecija AZF područja kromosoma Y povezan je s idiopatskom azoospermijom.Aim: The detection of microdeletions of AZF (azoospermia factor) region of Y-chromosome in men with severely impaired spermatogenesis is important since Y-chromosome microdeletions are transmitted to 100% of male offspring when using assisted reproduction methods. Subjects and methods: We investigated the presence of chromosome-Y microdeletions in 129 men from North-Adriatic region of Croatia. Their clinical diagnoses were: azoospermia (N=33), severe oligozoospermia (sperm count less than 5 million/ml; N=25), oligozoospermia (N=47), and asthenospermia (N=24). Eighty four of them had idiopathic infertility, while the rest of them were also diagnosed with hypogonadism, cryptorchidism or varicocele. Molecular-genetic analysis was performed using four multiplex and one simplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twelve STS-markers were investigated. STS-markers: sY84, sY86, sY127, sY134, sY254, sY255, control marker sY14 (SRY), and control pseudoautosomal locus ZFX/ZFY were analyzed according to recommendation of European Academy of Andrology. In cases of detected microdeletion six additional markers were analyzed: sY87, sY88, sY114, sY135, sY152, and sY157. Results: Microdeletions were found in two men (2/129 or 1,55%). Both men were diagnosed with idiopathic azoospermia; therefore the frequency of microdeletions in the azoospermia group was 2/33 or 6,06%, while in the idiopathic azoospermia group was 2/18 or 11,1%. Chromosome Y microdeletions were not found in non-idiopathic infertility group nor control men (N=100). Conclusions: The frequency of microdeletions was lower in our sample than reported for many European populations. Idiopathic azoospermia carries the risk for diagnosis of Y- chromosome microdeletions in our population

Etiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia – recent findings

Uzrok polovice do dvije trećine smrtnih ishoda pacijenata sa shizofrenijom pripisuje se kardiovaskularnim bolestima. Smatra se da visoka učestalost metaboličkog sindroma najviše povećava rizik za nastanak kardiovaskularnih oboljenja u shizofreniji. Iako je metabolički sindrom jedan od vodećih uzroka morbiditeta i mortaliteta u pacijenata sa shizofrenijom, do prije petnaestak godina istraživanje etiologije metaboličkog sindroma u shizofreniji nije predstavljalo veći znanstveni interes. Novije spoznaje ukazuju na mogućnost da bi pojačano stanje upalnog odgovora u organizmu moglo predstavljati zajedničku etiopatogenetsku podlogu u nastanku metaboličkog sindroma i shizofrenije. Primjerice, značajno povišena koncentracija proupalnih citokina te C reaktivnog proteina uočena je u pacijenata sa shizofrenijom koji nisu uzimali antipsihotične lijekove ili su ih uzimali u vrlo malim dozama, a zamijećeno je i da uzimanje inhibitora ciklooksigeneze-2, uz antipsihotičnu terapiju, može ublažiti težinu kliničkih simptoma i kognitivnih deficita u oboljelih. U ovom preglednom radu iznesene su najnovije spoznaje o ulozi okolišnih i genetičkih čimbenika u etiopatogenezi metaboličkog sindroma u shizofreniji. Mnogi mehanizmi kojima bi okolišni čimbenici, poput nezdrave prehrane i pušenja, mogli pridonijeti nastanku metaboličkog sindroma u shizofreniji ne razlikuju se značajno u odnosu na opću populaciju. Ipak, uzimanje antipsihotičnih lijekova, posebice tzv. atipičnih antipsihotika, te njihova interakcija s okolišnim čimbenicima, kao i genetičkim čimbenicima podložnosti, dodatno pridonose heterogenosti etiopatogeneze metaboličkog sindroma u shizofreniji, ali i otežavaju adekvatan terapijski pristup. Budući da su dosadašnja istraživanja uglavnom bila usredotočena na moguću poveznicu antipsihotičnih lijekova i metaboličkih abnormalnosti u oboljelih, detaljnije su razmotrene značajke nezdrave prehrane i ovisnosti o pušenju te njihova moguća povezanost s metaboličkim sindromom.The etiology of one half to two-thirds of deaths among patients with schizophrenia could be attributed to cardiovascular diseases. It is believed that high prevalence of metabolic syndrome mostly contributes to the risk of cardiovascular diseases in schizophrenia. Although the metabolic syndrome is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with schizophrenia, fifteen years ago studies investigating the etiology of the metabolic syndrome among patients with schizophrenia were not a part of scientific interest. Recent findings indicate the possibility that increased state of inflammatory response in the organism may underlie the etiopathogenesis of both schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome. For instance, significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and C reactive protein have been observed in schizophrenia patients with minimal or no exposure to antipsychotics and it has also been revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor drugs add-on treatment to the antipsychotic therapy may lead to decrease in clinical symptom severity and alleviate cognitive deficits in the patient group. In this review we aim to provide an update on genetics and environmental factors in the etiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia. Numerous mechanisms by which the environmental factors such as unhealthy diet pattern and smoking could contribute to the etiology of the metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia do not differ significantly compared to a healthy population. However, treatment with antipsychotic medications, particularly with atypical antipsychotics, as well as interaction between antipsychotic drugs and environmental and genetic risk factors may additionally lead to heterogeneity of the etiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia as well as to complicate treatment approach. Since previous studies have been mostly focused on plausible associations between antipsychotic medications and metabolic abnormalities, we provided a more detailed characteristic of unhealthy diet among schizophrenia patients and its plausible relation to metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, more deeply have been discussed the possible associations between nicotine dependence and metabolic syndrome

The insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and nicotine dependence in schizophrenia patients

We investigated the relationship between the functional insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the risk of nicotine dependence in Croatian schizophrenia patients. We also tested whether interactions between ACE-I/D polymorphism and smoking status affected the clinical psychopathology findings in patients as measured using Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to genotype 267 chronically ill schizophrenia patients (140 males/127 females).There were no significant differences in the distribution of ACE genotypes and alleles in male or female schizophrenia patients who were stratified based on their smoking status. However, there was a trend toward a difference in the ACE genotype distribution in female smokers vs. nonsmokers (χ2 = 5.13, p = 0.077) that was due mainly to the significant overrepresentation of ACE-ID heterozygous genotypes in female smokers compared to nonsmokers (62.3% vs. 42.0%, p = 0.025). ACE-ID heterozygous females had about a 2-fold higher smoking risk than ACE-II and ACE-DD homozygous carriers (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.1–4.7, p = 0.026). We observed no contribution of the ACE genotype-smoking interaction to PANSS psychopathology. This is the first study to investigate the possible association between ACE-I/D polymorphism and nicotine dependence in schizophrenia. Our results suggest that the ACE-I/D polymorphism may be relevant in determining the risk of nicotine dependence in female patients with schizophrenia while the ACE genotype-smoking interaction does not contribute to the clinical expression of schizophrenia. Izvorni jezik: EN

Could smoking increase the risk for metabolic syndrome among patients with schizophrenia in a Croatian population?

Cilj: Shizofreniju karakterizira visoka učestalost ovisnosti o pušenju, kao i visoka učestalost metaboličkog sindroma. Unatoč tome, malo se zna o učinku pušenja na komponente metaboličkog sindroma u toj bolesti. Cilj ovog rada bio je ispitati doprinosi li, i u kojoj mjeri, pojava ovisnosti o pušenju, koncentracijama lipida i glukoze u plazmi, te vrijednostima indeksa tjelesne mase (BMI), u skupini hrvatskih bolesnika sa shizofrenijom. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 263 kroničnih bolesnika (muškarci/žene: 139/124) s dijagnozom shizofrenije utvrđenom prema DSM-IV klasifikaciji (engl. Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders – DSM-IV). U pušače su klasificirani ispitanici koji puše najmanje jednu cigaretu dnevno u periodu duljem od godine dana, a u nepušače oni koji su popušili manje od 100 cigareta tijekom života. Rezultati: Unatoč visokoj stopi ovisnosti o pušenju (muškarci: 70,5%; žene: 60,5%), nije pronađena značajna razlika u koncentracijama lipida i glukoze u plazmi te vrijednostima BMI-a između muškaraca pušača i nepušača, a u žena su se samo koncentracije triglicerida razlikovale ovisno o pušačkom statusu. Pri tome su bolesnice koje puše imale nešto više vrijednosti triglicerida u usporedbi s bolesnicama nepušačima (1,6 ± 0,7 vs. 1,3 ± 0,5; F = 4,25, P = 0,042). Ipak, multipla regresijska analiza pokazala je da je samo dob značajni prediktor vrijednosti triglicerida u bolesnica (β = 0,41; promjena R2 = 0,171; P 0,05). Zaključak: Na temelju naših rezultata, možemo zaključiti da pušenje ne utječe na koncentracije lipida i glukoze u plazmi te vrijednosti BMI-a niti u bolesnika, niti u bolesnica sa shizofrenijom.Aim: Schizophrenia is associated with a high rate of nicotine dependence as well as with a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the influence of smoking on components of metabolic syndrome in this illness. In the current study we aim to investigate whether, and to what extent, smoking may contribute to plasma lipid and glucose concentrations and body mass index (BMI) values in Croatian patients with schizophrenia. Patients and methods: Our study comprised 263 chronically ill patients (males/females: 139/124) who met criteria for schizophrenia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Smokers were defined as individuals who smoked more than one cigarette each day for more than one year, and nonsmokers were defined as those who had smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes during their lifetime. Results: Although an elevated smoking rate was detected (males: 70.5%; females: 60.5%), we did not observe significant differences in plasma lipid and glucose concentrations and BMI values between male smokers and nonsmokers; whereas, among females, we revealed variations only in triglyceride concentrations according to the smoking status. In particular, triglyceride concentrations were slightly higher among female smokers than among nonsmoking females (1.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5; F = 4.25, P = 0.042). However, multiple regression analysis revealed that only age was a significant predictor of triglyceride values in females (β = 0.41, R2 change = 0.171, P 0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, we may conclude that smoking does not influence plasma lipid and glucose concentrations and BMI values neither among male nor among female patients with schizophrenia