Associations of polymorphic variants of the eNOS rs1549758 and eNOS rs1799983 genes with the severity of psychopathological symptoms in patients with schizophrenia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The eNOS gene encodes the enzyme responsible for nitric oxide synthesis in the endothelium. Nitric oxide is involved in the modulation of neurotransmission and may indirectly affect glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission—key components in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We hypothesize that genetic variations in the eNOS system may be associated with the severity of schizophrenia symptoms. AIM: To investigate the associations of eNOS polymorphisms rs1549758 and rs1799983 with the severity of psychopathological symptoms in schizophrenia. METHODS: The PANSS scale was used to assess the severity of psychopathological symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Genotyping of polymorphisms was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The normality of the distribution of quantitative data was checked using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Quantitative indicators were compared between two independent samples using the Mann–Whitney U test, and between more than two groups using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The compliance of the genotype frequency distribution with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was verified using the Pearson chi-square test. RESULTS: The following genetic associations were identified: carriers of the TT genotype of the eNOS rs1549758 polymorphism had lower severity of symptom P4 (Excitement) and greater severity of symptoms N1 (Blunted affect) and N2 (Emotional withdrawal). Carriers of the TT genotype of the eNOS rs1799983 polymorphism had lower severity of symptom P4 (Psychomotor agitation). CONCLUSION: Associations were found between the carriage of TT genotypes of the eNOS rs1549758 and eNOS rs1799983 polymorphisms and the severity of psychopathological symptoms in patients with paranoid schizophrenia. These associations may be explained by the influence of these genotypes on the production of nitric oxide, which regulates neurovascular functions and microglial activity.
Source: Neurology Bulletin
DOI: 10.17816/nb698674
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204600749