The study of mRNA Expression of Dopamine Receptors D2 and D3 in Schizophrenic Patients

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder affecting behavior, thought and emotions in the form of hallucinations, delusions and cognitive impairment. Dopamine system is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia through dopamine receptors expression in the brain. The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of mRNA expression of dopamine receptors D2 and D3 in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Thirty-five schizophrenic patients and fifteen age and gender matched healthy controls were included in this study. Serum lipid profiles were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method while the determination of dopamine receptors D2 and D3 mRNA expression was performed by real time q PCR technique. There was significant statistical decrease of HDL-c and increase of LDL-c in patients compared to control group, while Cholesterol and TAG showed no significant statistical difference between the two groups. There was significant increase of the mRNA expression of dopamine receptors D2 and D3 genes in the blood of the patients compared to control group (p value= 0.001 and < 0.001 respectively). From this study, it could be concluded that Dopamine receptors D2 and D3 mRNA expression in the blood might be used as diagnostic markers of schizophrenia, revealing the importance of dopamine receptors antagonist as antipsychotics.Key words: Schizophrenia, dopamine D2 receptors, dopamine D3 receptors, mRNA expression

) Study of Resistin and Leptin in patients with Thyroid Dysfunction

Abstract: Background: Leptin and resistin are adipocytokines associated with body mass, insulin resistance and inflammation. Data linking adipokines with thyroid hormones are confusing. Aim: Evaluation of leptin and resistin in patients with thyroid dysfunction. Subjects and methods: 28 patients with hyperthyroidism, 26 patients with hypothyroidism and 24 age and gender matched control subjects were included in the study. BMI was calculated. Serum concentrations of TT3, FT4, TSH, resistin and leptin were measured by ELISA. Results: A higher BMI (29.4+2.1)kg/m 2 , TSH (21.7+ 2.4) Mu/L and leptin (34.9+ 2.8) ng/ml were found in the hypothyroid group compared with the hyperthyroid group BMI (23.7+2.7)kg/m 2 , TSH (0.07+ 0.03) Mu/L and leptin (9.7+ 1.8)ng/ml. The hyperthyroid group exhibited a significant increased TT3 (6.6+1.6)nmol/L, FT4 (2.6+0.1)Pmol/L and resistin (13.8+3.7)ng/ml compared with the hypothyroid group TT3 (0.3+0.1)nmol/L, FT4 (0.68+0.04)Pmol/L and resistin (6.3+3.4)ng/ml. Resistin correlated significantly and negatively with TSH (P<0.01) and BMI (P< 0.01) and positively with TT3 (P<0.01) and FT4 (P< 0.05). Leptin correlated positively with TSH (P< 0.01) and BMI (P<0.01) and negatively with TT3 (P<0.01) and FT4 (P<0.05). Factors affecting resistin level in a multivariate logistic regression analysis were sex, TT3 and FT4. Leptin is affected only by sex and TSH. The cutoff level of leptin associated with hyperthyroidism is 15.3 ng/ml with sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 60%. Conclusion: Thyroid hormones have direct effect on resistin but not leptin. Leptin may affect the thyroid function indirectly through its central action on TSH independent of the BMI. Leptin level of 15.3 ng/ml is associated with hyperthyroidism