Decreased serum complement component 4 levels in patients with schizophrenia

Psychiatr Genet. 2019 Aug;29(4):127-129. doi: 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000226.

Abstract

Dysregulation of the immune system in mental disease, particularly complement component 4 (C4), which may be associated with schizophrenia, has been repeatedly observed. This study investigated the association between the level of serum component 4 and schizophrenia. Data were derived from a case-control association study of 40 unrelated adult patients with schizophrenia and 40 matched healthy controls. The component 4 level in serum was measured for comparative analysis by a component 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Our findings suggest that the serum component 4 level is lower in patients with schizophrenia than in the controls, and the results apply to both males and females. Our results will lay an important foundation for establishing diagnostic methods and provide feasible and reliable evidence for the clinical treatment of schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Complement C4 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schizophrenia / blood*

Substances

  • Complement C4