ORIGINAL: Plasma and Tissue Trace Element Levels in Drug Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia in a Tertiary Health Facility in Southwest Nigeria

West Afr J Med . 2022 Dec 29;39(12):1266-1272.

Abstract

Abstract  in English, French

Background: Trace elements are involved in oxidation reduction reactions in the body, including the central nervous system. The relationship between trace elements and psychiatric disorders have not been extensively investigated in the local population. We assessed the relationships between selected trace elements and schizophrenia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 70 newly diagnosed participants with schizophrenia, mean age = 33.6 ±10.7 years were recruited by simple random sampling. Sixty age-matched healthy subjects, mean age of 34.2 ± 7.9 years were recruited as control. Plasma Zn, Cu, Mn and Se were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer while toe nail Zn, Cu, Mn and Se were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy in both participants and controls. Illness severity was assessed using PANSS score.

Results: Mean plasma Zn, Cu and Mn were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia than in control (p<0.001) while mean concentration of plasma Se was significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in control (p<0.001). Mean concentration of toenail Zn, Cu and Mn were significantly lower among schizophrenic group than in control group (p<0.001), however, mean toe nail Se level was similar in schizophrenic and control groups. In logistic regression, low plasma levels of Zn (Odds Ratio = 2.296, p<0.001), Cu (p<0.001), Mn (p<0.001) and Se (p<0.001) were independently associated with schizophrenia. There was no significant relationship between plasma Zn, Cu, Mn and Se and severity of illness using PANSS score.

Conclusion: There is a possibility that low levels of Zn, Cu and Mn are involved in the aetiopathogenesis and progression of schizophrenia.

Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Score; Schizophrenia; Trace elements.

O A Jeje ¹, O A Ajose ², K S Mosaku ³, T A Adedeji ²