Niveles de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (pufa) en la membrana eritrocitaria de una muestra de pacientes con esquizofrenia y su relación con variables clínicas y evolutivas / Erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid (pufa) levels in a sample of patients with schizophrenia and relation with clinical and progression variable

Introducción. Estudios previos han mostrado que las membranas celulares eritrocitarias de pacientes con esquizofrenia presentan una reducción considerable de ácidos grasos omega-3, particularmente EPA (ácido eicosapentaenoico) y DHA (ácido docosahexaenoico), reflejando niveles disminuidos en las membranas neuronales y del sistema nervioso central. Este fenómeno, ligado a factores genéticos, metabólicos o dietéticos, ha sido relacionado con el desarrollo de la esquizofrenia, con el grado de gravedad y con un mayor riesgo de desarrollar síndrome metabólico. Metodología. El presente estudio, es un estudio observacional que se realizó en una muestra de 31 pacientes con esquizofrenia del Centro de Salud Mental de Mataró (Barcelona). El objetivo fue relacionar los niveles eritrocitarios de omega 3 con la severidad clínica del trastorno y los hábitos dietéticos. Se determinaron los niveles de EPA (ácido eicosapentaenoico), DHA (ácido docosahexaenoico) y otros lípidos de membrana, así como medidas de estado psicopatológico, funcionamiento cognitivo y social, evolución previa y finalmente una encuesta de hábitos dietéticos. Resultados. Nuestros resultados no mostraron una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre los niveles de ácidos omega 3 eritrocitarios y las variables de gravedad psicopatológica y clínica. No obstante, se hallaron niveles superiores, estadísticamente significativos, en el grupo de mujeres y en los pacientes con mayor número de días de ingreso en el hospital de día. De forma opuesta, los valores inferiores se obtuvieron en pacientes tratados con antipsicóticos de acción prolongada y en consumidores de aceite de girasol. Conclusiones. A pesar de no haber podido demostrar nuestra hipótesis de trabajo, se han encontrado correlaciones significativas coherentes con los hallazgos en la literatura actual es por ello que se postula la necesidad de realizar estudios con muestras más amplias y presencia de grupos de controles sanos

Introduction. Previous studies have shown that erythrocyte cell membranes in patients with schizophrenia contain considerably less omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), reflecting the lower levels present in neuronal and central nervous system membranes. This phenomenon, linked to genetic, metabolic, or dietary factors, has been associated with the development of schizophrenia and the risk of developing and the severity of metabolic syndrome. Methods. This study is an observational study conducted in a sample of 31 patients with schizophrenia treated at the Mataró Mental Health Center (Barcelona). Its aim was to relate the erythrocyte levels of omega 3 with the clinical severity of schizophrenia and dietary habits. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and other membrane lipid levels were determined, as well as psychopathology, cognitive, and social functioning measures, previous evolution, and finally a survey of dietary habits. Results. Our results did not show a statistically significant correlation between erythrocyte omega-3 levels. and psychopathological and clinical severity variables. Higher, statistically significant, levels were found in the group of women and in subjects with more days of admission to the day hospital. In contrast, lower values were obtained in subjects treated with long-acting antipsychotics and in sunflower oil consumers.Conclusions.Despite not being able to demonstrate our working hypothesis, significant correlations were found that were consistent with published findings in the current literature. The need for studies with larger samples and groups of healthy controls is postulated

Erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid (pufa) levels in a sample of patients with schizophrenia and relation with clinical and progression variables.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that erythrocyte cell membranes in patients with schizophrenia contain considerably less omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), reflecting the lower levels present in neuronal and central nervous system membranes. This phenomenon, linked to genetic, metabolic, or dietary factors, has been associated with the development of schizophrenia and the risk of developing and the severity of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This study is an observational study conducted in a sample of 31 patients with schizophrenia treated at the Mataró Mental Health Center (Barcelona). Its aim was to relate the erythrocyte levels of omega 3 with the clinical severity of schizophrenia and dietary habits. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and other membrane lipid levels were determined, as well as psychopathology, cognitive, and social functioning measures, previous evolution, and finally a survey of dietary habits. RESULTS: Our results did not show a statistically significant correlation between erythrocyte omega-3 levels and psychopathological and clinical severity variables. Higher, statistically significant, levels were found in the group of women and in subjects with more days of admission to the day hospital. In contrast, lower values were obtained in subjects treated with long-acting antipsychotics and in sunflower oil consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not being able to demonstrate our working hypothesis, significant correlations were found that were consistent with published findings in the current literature. The need for studies with larger samples and groups of healthy controls is postulated.