Study of some biochemical and genetic aspects of schizophrenic disorders

Molecular genetics and Biochemistry have been devoted to establish the genetic contribution to aetiology of schizophrenia. The biochemical changes in brain neurotransmitters may contribute to the patho genesis of schizophrenia. The human platelets contain monoamine oxidase [MAO] which is similar in many physiochemical properties to that of the brain, the similarity was also established between brain catechol-O-methytransferase [COMT] and acetyicholinesterase [AChE] and that of RBCs. So, this study was directed towards monitoring the platelet MAO and RBCs, COMT and AchE as possible indices for the CNS cellular events. The present study was carried out on 144 subjects classified into normal control group free of any psychiatric manifestation and schizophrenic patients group. Assessment of the changes in neurotransmitters metabolism, was tested e.g. that of catecholamine and acetylcholine by determination of the activity of the enzymes involved in its catabolism e.g. MAO, COMT and AChE either by fluorimetric method or colorimetric method. Our results indicated a highly significant reduction in platelets MAO activity among schizophrenic patients than control group [P<0.001]. Concerning the COMT activity, there was no statistical significant difference between control and patients group. Assessment of AChE activity indicated a significant reduction in patients group [P<0.02]. So, the changes in cholinergic activity in relation of that catecholamine may play a role in the explanations of schizophrenic dysfunction. The genetic contribution was conducted by phenotyping of group specific component [Gc] and phosphoglucomutase I [PGMI] as genetic makers of schizophrenia using isoelectro focusing techniques. In the present study analyzing the distribution of different Gc genotypes among control and schizophrenic groups demonstrated the increase of Gc 2-1 genotype frequency among schizophrenics [P<0.001] with a relative risk factor of RR=2.56. There was significant difference in distribution of PGM1 1+1+ between normal control group and schizophrenic group [P<0.001]. No correlation could be detected between MAO, COMT, AChE enzyme activity and Gc genotypes or PGM1 phenotypes

P53 autoantibodies as a predictor for potential cadmium carcinogenecity in exposed workers

The main purpose of this study was to determine whether cadmium [Cd] exposurecould elevate serum p53 autoantibodies in order to assess the potentialcarcinogenicity of Cd among occupationally exposed workers. Forty maleworkers employed in a dry battery factory in Cairo [27 smokers and 13 nonsmokers] represented a model population for this study to be compared witha control group of 50 unexposed nonsmoker healthy persons matched according toage and sex. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for the assessment ofserum p53 autoantibodies and blood Cd concentrations. Meanwhile, Cd concentrations in air in different areas of the factory were determined. Thestudy revealed a significant association between Cd concentration in theenvironment and the blood of the exposed workers with the highest levelsobtained in workers of the production area [11.128 +/- 2.135 mug/dl]. The integrated index for Cd exposure was insignificantly higher in smoker workerscompared with the nonsmokers incriminating passive smoking as source of Cd exposure in working places. Moreover, the study revealed a significant higher p53 autoimmune index in Cd exposed workers [2.206 +/- 0.069] compared withthe control subjects [0.144 +/- 0.016]. In addition, p53 autoimmune indexwas significantly higher in smoker compared with nonsmoker Cd exposed workersand both had significantly higher p53 autoimmune index compared with controls. Additionally, an association was found between integrated index for Cd exposure and p53 autoimmune index

Antioxidant vitamins: do they have a prognostic role in ischemic heart diseases?

This study was conducted to find out the impact of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E in the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction. All the acute myocardial patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of Tanta University Hospital during a six months period were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups [43 patients each]. Patients of the first group [antioxidant group] were given vitamin A, E, and C besides the conventional ante-ischemic therapy throughout the period of hospital stay. Patients of the second group [the control group] were given only the conventional ante-ischemic therapy. Both groups were subjected to patient education program concerning the allowed working activities, leisure time exercise, frequency and constituent of meals. Patients of the antioxidant group were instructed to add to one of their daily meals at least two of the food stuffs rich in the antioxidant vitamins [grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and milk]. Then, patients were followed up [monthly throughout a one year period] for the frequencies of occurrence of anginal pain, heart failure, hypotension and arrhythmias. The infarction size was measured for every patient from the ECG [via Silves score]. The study showed that the antioxidant vitamins [Vitamin A, C, and E] have a good prognostic value regarding reduction of the infarction size, decreasing rate of recurrence of anginal attacks besides minimizing frequencies of complications [Hypotension, arrhythmias and heart failure] and consequently the frequencies of hospital readmission were reduced