1Schizophr. Res. 2009 Apr 109: 113-20
PMID19195843
TitleElevated delta-6 desaturase (FADS2) expression in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients: relationship with fatty acid composition.
AbstractAlthough emerging evidence suggests that schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with peripheral and central polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficits, there is currently nothing known about the expression of genes that mediate PUFA biosynthesis in SZ patients. Here we determined Delta5 desaturase (FADS1), Delta6 desaturase (FADS2), elongase (HELO1 [ELOVL5]), peroxisomal (PEX19), and Delta9 desaturase (stearoyl-CoA desaturase, SCD) mRNA expression, and relevant fatty acid product:precursor ratios as estimates of enzyme activities, in the postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with SZ (n=20) and non-psychiatric controls (n=20). After correction for multiple comparisons, FADS2 mRNA expression was significantly greater in SZ patients relative to controls (+36%, p=0.002), and there was a positive trend found for FADS1 (+26%, p=0.15). No differences were found for HELO1 (+10%, p=0.44), PEX19 (+12%, p=0.44), or SCD (-6%, p=0.85). Both male (+34%, p=0.02) and female (+42%, p=0.02) SZ patients exhibited greater FADS2 mRNA expression relative to same-gender controls. Drug-free SZ patients (+37%, p=0.02), and SZ patients treated with typical (+40%, p=0.002) or atypical (+31%, p=0.04) antipsychotics, exhibited greater FADS2 mRNA expression relative to controls. Consistent with increased Delta6 desaturase activity, SZ patients exhibited a greater 20:3/18:2 ratio (+20%, p=0.03) and a positive trend was found for 20:4/18:2 (+13%, p=0.07). These data demonstrate abnormal, potentially compensatory, elevations in Delta6 desaturase (FADS2) expression in the PFC of SZ patients that are independent of gender and antipsychotic medications. Greater Delta6 desaturase expression and activity could have implications for central prostaglandin synthesis and proinflammatory signaling.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic
2Schizophr. Res. 2009 Apr 109: 113-20
PMID19195843
TitleElevated delta-6 desaturase (FADS2) expression in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients: relationship with fatty acid composition.
AbstractAlthough emerging evidence suggests that schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with peripheral and central polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficits, there is currently nothing known about the expression of genes that mediate PUFA biosynthesis in SZ patients. Here we determined Delta5 desaturase (FADS1), Delta6 desaturase (FADS2), elongase (HELO1 [ELOVL5]), peroxisomal (PEX19), and Delta9 desaturase (stearoyl-CoA desaturase, SCD) mRNA expression, and relevant fatty acid product:precursor ratios as estimates of enzyme activities, in the postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with SZ (n=20) and non-psychiatric controls (n=20). After correction for multiple comparisons, FADS2 mRNA expression was significantly greater in SZ patients relative to controls (+36%, p=0.002), and there was a positive trend found for FADS1 (+26%, p=0.15). No differences were found for HELO1 (+10%, p=0.44), PEX19 (+12%, p=0.44), or SCD (-6%, p=0.85). Both male (+34%, p=0.02) and female (+42%, p=0.02) SZ patients exhibited greater FADS2 mRNA expression relative to same-gender controls. Drug-free SZ patients (+37%, p=0.02), and SZ patients treated with typical (+40%, p=0.002) or atypical (+31%, p=0.04) antipsychotics, exhibited greater FADS2 mRNA expression relative to controls. Consistent with increased Delta6 desaturase activity, SZ patients exhibited a greater 20:3/18:2 ratio (+20%, p=0.03) and a positive trend was found for 20:4/18:2 (+13%, p=0.07). These data demonstrate abnormal, potentially compensatory, elevations in Delta6 desaturase (FADS2) expression in the PFC of SZ patients that are independent of gender and antipsychotic medications. Greater Delta6 desaturase expression and activity could have implications for central prostaglandin synthesis and proinflammatory signaling.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic
3Wei Sheng Yan Jiu 2011 Mar 40: 154-7
PMID21560298
Title[A case-control study between gene polymorphisms of polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolic rate-limiting enzymes and paranoid schizophrenia of Han ethnicity in Jilin Province].
AbstractTo investigate an association between gene polymorphisms of FADS 1 (fatty acid desaturase 1) , FADS2 (fatty acid desaturase 2) and ELOVL2 (elongation of very long chain fatty acids (FEN1/ Elo2, SUR4/Elo3, yeast) -like 2) and paranoid schizophrenia of the Han ethnicity in Jilin province of China.
We genotyped 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 3 candidate genes in 100 paranoid schizophrenia cases and 95 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. All samples are from Han ethnicity in Jilin province of China.
The genotype distributions of rs174556 in FADS1 gene and rs174617 in FADS2 gene showed no significant difference between case and control groups (P > 0.05). The genotype distribution of rs3756963 in ELOVL2 gene showed significant difference between case group and control group (P < 0.05). The distribution proportion of allele T carriers in case group was higher than that in control group. Trans-phase gene interaction analysis showed that the distribution proportion of combined genotypes included rs3756963 (T/T) was higher in case group than that in control group (P < 0.05).
rs174556 in FADS1 gene and rs174617 in FADS2 gene may not be associated with paranoid schizophrenia. rs3756963 in ELOVL2 gene may be associated with paranoid schizophrenia.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic
4Cardiovasc Psychiatry Neurol 2013 -1 2013: 596945
PMID24455201
TitleFatty Acid desaturase gene polymorphisms and metabolic measures in schizophrenia and bipolar patients taking antipsychotics.
AbstractAtypical antipsychotics have become a common therapeutic option in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, these medications come with a high risk of metabolic side effects, particularly dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Therefore, identification of patients who are at increased risk for metabolic side effects is of great importance. The genetics of fatty acid metabolism is one area of research that may help identify such patients. Therefore, in this present study, we aimed to determine the effect of one commonly studied genetic polymorphism from both fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) and FADS2 gene on a surrogate measure of insulin resistance and lipid levels in a metabolically high-risk population of patients largely exposed to atypical antipsychotics. This study used a cross-sectional design, fasting blood draws, and genetic analysis to investigate associations between polymorphisms, haplotypes, and metabolic measures. A total of 320 subjects with schizophrenia (n = 226) or bipolar disorder (n = 94) were included in this study. The mean age of the population was 42.5 years and 45% were male. A significant association between FADS1 and FADS2 haplotypes was found with insulin resistance while controlling for confounders. Further investigation is required to replicate this finding.
SCZ Keywordsschizophrenia, schizophrenic