Expression Profiling of Reln Gene in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a devastating neuropsychiatric condition of uncertain ethology with significant adverse effects on affected people, their families, and society. Heterogeneous population is seen in India with high degree of inbreeding. Hence it is necessary to screen the Indian psychotic patients in order to get a true picture of contribution of RELN mRNA expression level in SCZ. Mental illness is a leading cause for several metabolic changes and other related complications. It is not clear these metabolic changes may be due to alterations in the RELN gene expression or which may be because of the use of antipsychotic drugs. It is necessary to study the link between the RELN gene expression and metabolic syndrome. Aim & Objective: The present study aims to see the expression profiling of RELN gene in SCZ patients and to find the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in the them. Methodology: The clinically diagnosed patients with Schizophrenia and other mental disorders were studied for the RELN gene expression and quantification of the RELN protein using RT PCR and western Blotting. The Biochemical parameters like Serum RBS, Lipid profile were analysed by standard biochemical methods on the Semi autoanalyzer and lipid ratios were calculated in the study groups and compared with the age and sex matched controls. The statistical analyses were performed using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) (Version 20). p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical tests performed were two-tailed. Results : The data shows 50% participants suffered from SCZ and remaining suffered with other psychotic disorders. The maximum no of participants showed moderate score based on BPRS Scale. The levels of expression of RELN gene were decreased in SCZ. The levels of RBS, TC, TG, & LDL-C were significantly increased in the SCZ patients as compared with the controls. The levels of HDL-C were significantly decreased in them. The BMI, WC and Lipid ratios also found to be significantly increased in the SCZ patients. About 54.5%

females and 45.5% males were found be prone for developing the metabolic syndrome. 43.2% participants were on Clozapine, 111.7% on Olanzapine, 18.3% on Risperidone and 18.3% on Quetiapine. Conclusion : Genetic analysis of the candidate genes in the psychotic disorders will be helpful in designing the therapeutic drug target drugs for their treatments. Early and regular monitoring of the patients on the antipsychotic drug treatments must be done to find and prevent risk of the patients to develop the metabolic syndrome which is the major leading cause for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in these patients. The life style modifications and early interventions will help in preventing the early deaths in the psychiatric patients.