ABSTRACT
We investigated the effects of simvastatin adjunctive therapy on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In this double-blind trial, inpatients with chronic schizophrenia were clinically stabilized on a constant dose of risperidone for at least 4 weeks before the study and were then randomized to receive risperidone (4-6 mg/day) plus either simvastatin (40 mg/day) (n=33) or placebo (n=33) for 8 weeks. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to measure the negative, positive, and general symptoms of schizophrenia at baseline and every 2 weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale were used to measure depression and extrapyramidal symptoms at baseline and week 8. Difference in change in negative symptoms score from the baseline to week 8 was considered the single primary outcome. At baseline, negative symptoms scores were higher than positive symptoms scores in both simvastatin and placebo groups. There was no baseline difference between the two groups in terms of any of the measured variables. Compared with the placebo group, the simvastatin group showed a significantly higher reduction in negative symptoms scores from baseline to week 8 [mean difference: 95% confidence interval=-1.42 (-2.32 to -0.52), P=0.003]. Similar findings were observed for total scores [mean difference: 95% confidence interval=-1.85 (-2.87 to -0.83), P=0.001]. The results were not significant for positive symptoms or general psychopathology scores. We found a favorable effect of simvastatin on negative symptoms of patients with schizophrenia; however, future studies are warranted to confirm these results.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Simvastatin/administration & dosage , Adult , Double-Blind Method , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the testicular veins of people suffering from varicocele have already been reported. However, the role of NO-synthase (NOS) isozymes and their inhibitors have not been extensively studied. We aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of aminoguanidine (AG), on sperm motility, vitality, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in varicocelized rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty fore male Wister rats were divided into control, sham, varicocele, and treatment groups. Varicocele and treatment groups underwent partial ligation of left renal vein. Rats in the sham group underwent the same procedures as the varicocele group with the exception of vein ligation. 10 weeks after varicocele induction, sperm parameters were evaluated in all groups. The treatment group received 50 mg/kg AG injection daily for 10 weeks after which they were sacrificed prior to assessment of the parameters. Sperm viability and MMP were assessed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) and rhodamine 123 (Rh123), respectively. RESULTS: The results of this study show a decrease in sperm viability, motility and MMP in the varicocele group compared with the other groups. After AG injection, we observed that all the parameters were significantly enhanced in the treatment group compared with the other groups. Rh123 staining revealed a positive relation between MMP and sperm motility, whereas PI staining showed a positive relation between sperm motility and viability. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study show that AG improves sperm motility and MMP, and thus, might be useful in the management of varicocele-related infertility.
