Abnormality of glycometabolism related factors in non-psychotic offspring of schizophrenic patients

Schizophrenic patients appear to have higher rates of abnormality of glycometabolism. It has been suggested that these could be secondary to the use of antipsychotics. However, findings indicate that abnormal glucose metabolism may be potentially involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study examined the fasting plasma levels of glycometabolism related factors in healthy offspring of schizophrenic patients. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that abnormal glucose metabolism might be potentially involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Thirty-two healthy offspring of schizophrenic inpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 37 comparison subjects were recruited. Fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), leptin and cortisol were tested for all subjects. Compared with controls, offspring of schizophrenic patients had significantly higher mean plasma insulin and insulin resistance, and lower mean plasma IGF-1 level. Meanwhile, the mean fasting plasma levels of glucose, GH, leptin and cortisol did not differ significantly between offspring of schizophrenic patients and healthy comparison subjects. Offspring of schizophrenic patients showed significant differences from comparison subjects in glycometabolism related factors. Abnormal glucose metabolism might be potentially involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.