Sex-specific associations of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with cognition in patients with drug-naïve schizophrenia.

This present study aimed to investigate the sex-specific association of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with cognition in drug-naïve schizophrenia patients for the first time. A total of 204 participants in this study, including 137 drug-naïve schizophrenia (DNS) patients and 67 healthy controls (HCs). All participants completed the Measurements and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), and were collected fasting venous blood for NGAL measurement. DNS patients also complete the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to explore sex-specific associations between NGAL and cognition. All dimensions of MCCB scores were significantly lower in both male and female DNS patients than HCs. Sex differences were significant in cognitive performance in both DNS patients and HCs. Female DNS patients experienced poorer working memory and reason& problem solving than male patients. Female HCs performed a better attention/vigilance and visual learning, a poorer reason& problem solving than male HCs. In patients with DNS, NGAL levels were negatively associated with positive subscale of PANSS and positively associated with working memory and visual learning only in female. However, there was no significant correlation between NGAL levels and all cognitive tests in both male and female HCs. Regression model showed that higher level of NGAL was an independent protective factor for cognitive performance in female patients with DNS, whereas there was no such role in male patients. Our findings suggest sex specificity between NGAL levels and cognitive performance in DNS patients.

Metabolic biomarkers of risperidone-induced weight gain in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Risperidone is a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug with a potential side effect of weight gain. However, the pathophysiological mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we sought to identify potential biomarkers of risperidone-induced weight gain by using a targeted metabolomics approach. Methods: We enrolled 30 subjects who received risperidone monotherapy for 8 weeks from a prospective longitudinal cohort study for drug-naïve schizophrenia patients. Plasma metabolites were measured by targeted metabolomics Biocrates MxP® Quant 500 Kit at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Results: After 8 weeks of risperidone treatment, the levels of 48 differential metabolites were upregulated, including lysophosphatidylcholines (2), phosphatidylcholines (PC) (8), cholesteryl esters (CE) (3), and triglycerides (35), while 6 differential metabolites namely PC aa C38:6, methionine (Met), α-aminobutyric acid (AABA), TrpBetaine, CE (22:6), and Taurocholic acid (TCA) were downregulated. Interestingly, the reduction of PC aa C38:6, AABA and CE (22:6) was linearly related with increased BMI. Further multiple regression analysis showed that the changes of PC aa C38:6 and AABA were independent contributors of increased BMI. In addition, baseline levels of PC aa C36:5, CE (20:5) and AABA had positive relationships with the change of BMI. Conclusion: Our findings indicate phosphatidylcholines and amino acids may serve as biomarkers for risperidone-induced weight gain.

[Large- scale prospective clinical study on prophylactic intervention of COVID-19 in community population using Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules].

To scientifically evaluate the intervention effect of Chinese medicine preventive administration(combined use of Huo-xiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) on community population in the case of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), a large cohort, prospective, randomized, and parallel-controlled clinical study was conducted. Total 22 065 subjects were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. The non-intervention group was given health guidance only, while the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention group was given two coordinated TCM in addition to health guidance. The medical instructions were as follows. Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid: oral before meals, 10 mL/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days. Jinhao Jiere Granules: dissolve in boiling water and take after meals, 8 g/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days, followed up for 14 days, respectively. The study found that with the intake of medication, the incidence rate of TCM intervention group was basically maintained at a low and continuous stable level(0.01%-0.02%), while the non-intervention group showed an overall trend of continuous growth(0.02%-0.18%) from 3 to 14 days. No suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case occurred in either group. There were 2 cases of colds in the TCM intervention group and 26 cases in the non-intervention group. The incidence of colds in the TCM intervention group was significantly lower(P<0.05) than that in the non-intervention group. In the population of 16-60 years old, the incidence rate of non-intervention and intervention groups were 0.01% and 0.25%, respectively. The difference of colds incidence between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the population older than 60 years old, they were 0.04% and 0.21%, respectively. The incidence of colds in the non-intervention group was higher than that in the intervention group, but not reaching statistical difference. The protection rate of TCM for the whole population was 91.8%, especially for the population of age 16-60(95.0%). It was suggested that TCM intervention(combined use of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) could effectively protect community residents against respiratory diseases, such as colds, which was worthy of promotion in the community. In addition, in terms of safety, the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions in the TCM intervention group was relatively low, which was basically consistent with the drug instructions.