Increased systemic oxidatively generated DNA and RNA damage in schizophrenia

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Schizophrenia is linked to increased physical illness and mortality, potentially due to accelerated aging.
• Oxidative stress is implicated in aging and diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia, and may play a role in schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate systemic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) oxidation markers in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between oxidative stress markers, psychopathology, perceived stress, and cortisol levels in schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• Measured urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine excretion in 40 schizophrenia patients and 40 controls.
• Utilized ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for precise quantification.
• Collected data on psychopathology, perceived stress, cortisol secretion, and medication load, with a four-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia patients exhibited a 20% higher median excretion of both DNA and RNA oxidation markers compared to controls (P=0.003 and <0.001).
• These differences remained significant after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and metabolic factors.
• Marker excretion in patients was not associated with medication, symptom severity, perceived stress, or cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

• Schizophrenia is associated with elevated systemic nucleic acid oxidation, suggesting accelerated cellular aging.
• Increased oxidative damage may represent a molecular link between schizophrenia and its associated comorbidities and mortality.