Evaluation Expression of the Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 Apoptotic Genes in Schizophrenia Patients
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs by several pathways.Caspase-3 is induced by active caspase-9 via the intrinsic pathway.The aim of this research was to explore the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in schizophrenia patients and healthy samples.Methods: RNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 39 schizophrenia patients' and healthy samples.After cDNA synthesis, real time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyse caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression.The severity of psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI).Results: The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes was higher in schizophrenia patients than in healthy samples (p = 0.012, p = 0.002, respectively).The increase in caspase-3 gene expression was significant with being male, smoking and with a duration of less than 6 years (p = 0.047, p = 0.049, p = 0.034, respectively).On the other hand, the increase in caspase-9 gene expression was significant in patients who is smoke, have children, and are under 33 years old (p = 0.040, p = 0.043, p = 0.045, respectively).A significant positive correlation was detected between the caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression (r = 0.3218, p = 0.049).Conclusion: Our findings indicate that caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression may activate cell death mechanisms by intrinsic apoptotic genes.Furthermore, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may play essential roles in different ways in schizophrenia.Hence there is a need to further study the apoptotic mechanism with expanded patient populations.
Institutions: Bayburt University, Atatürk University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4318051932