{Fe(NO)(2)(9) Dinitrosyl Iron Complex Acting as a Vehicle for the NO Radical.

To carry and deliver nitric oxide with a controlled redox state and rate is crucial for its pharmaceutical/medicinal applications. In this study, the capability of cationic {Fe(NO)2}9 dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) [(RDDB)Fe(NO)2]+ (R = Me, Et, Iso; RDDB = N,N'-bis(2,6-dialkylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) carrying nearly unperturbed nitric oxide radical to form [(RDDB)Fe(NO)2(•NO)]+ was demonstrated and characterized by IR, UV-vis, EPR, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. The unique triplet ground state of [(RDDB)Fe(NO)2(•NO)]+ results from the ferromagnetic coupling between two strictly orthogonal orbitals, one from Fe dz2 and the other a π*op orbital of a unique bent axial NO ligand, which is responsible for the growth of a half-field transition (ΔMS = 2) from 70 to 4 K in variable-temperature EPR measurements. Consistent with the NO radical character of coordinated axial NO ligand in complex [(MeDDB)Fe(NO)2(•NO)]+, the simple addition of MeCN/H2O into CH2Cl2 solution of complexes [(RDDB)Fe(NO)2(•NO)]+ at 25 °C released NO as a neutral radical, as demonstrated by the formation of [S5Fe(NO)2]- from [S5Fe(µ-S)2FeS5]2-.

Intercorrelations between the Personal and Social Performance Scale, cognitive function, and activities of daily living.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intercorrelation between the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) score, cognitive function, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Twenty patients with chronic schizophrenia were recruited; the PSP and ADL scales and psychological assessments including the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were administered. Positive correlations between the total PSP scale score and performance in the WMS-R, CPT, and ADL scores were identified. The PSP score was found to be of good reliability for cognitive function and ADL evaluation.

Increased plasma leptin in antipsychotic-naïve females with schizophrenia, but not in males.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance and increased leptin levels, were noted in patients with schizophrenia who had received antipsychotics. In this study, we examined the leptin levels of antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenic patients. METHOD: Seventeen antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 16 sex-, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects were recruited from the psychiatric outpatient clinic and community, respectively. Serum leptin levels of the healthy controls and antipsychotic-naïve patients were compared. The relationships between leptin level and gender, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score, and duration of illness were analyzed by Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Compared with sex-, age- and BMI-matched subjects, the female schizophrenic patients had elevated serum leptin levels. In the male patients, the results of this preliminary study also revealed a positive correlation between leptin levels and the Aggression Risk Profile subscale of the PANSS. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests possible gender-specific leptin dysregulation in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenic patients.

TPH1 is associated with major depressive disorder but not with SSRI/SNRI response in Taiwanese patients.

RATIONALE: Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase in the biosynthesis of serotonin, is a candidate gene in the development and treatment response of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its actual role is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the allele frequencies of TPH1 in MDD patients and healthy controls in Taiwan, and also to investigate the association between TPH1 A218C and treatment response to either fluoxetine or venlafaxine in a Taiwanese population with MDD. METHODS: One hundred five healthy controls and 115 outpatients diagnosed with MDD were recruited and genotyped for the TPH1 218A/C (rs1800532) polymorphism. Patients were randomized into either the fluoxetine or venlafaxine treatment group. The 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) was administered to evaluate depressive symptoms at baseline and bi-weekly over 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The TPH1 218A/C allele frequencies differed significantly between healthy controls and MDD patients in Taiwan, with a higher prevalence of the A allele in the patient group (p = 0.025). The odds ratio of the A allele to the C allele was 0.507 for the subjects with MDD. There was no significant correlation between the percentage change in HAM-D score and either TPH1 218A/C genotype or TPH1 allele frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the TPH1 218A/C genotype and allele frequencies differed between the Taiwanese healthy controls and MDD patients but could not be used to predict treatment outcome in Taiwanese MDD patients. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the role of TPH1 218A/C.

Rapid leptin elevation after initiation of olanzapine?

Weight gain is a common adverse effect associated with olanzapine treatment. Another side effect of olanzapine treatment is a significant increase in circulating leptin levels. This preliminary study monitored the changes in leptin levels for 2 weeks after olanzapine treatment had been initiated. The relationship between the changes in circulating leptin levels and alterations in body weight in 9 patients with schizophrenia who received olanzapine was examined. The results showed that olanzapine may cause a surge in circulating leptin levels before weight gain is manifested. Moreover, higher pretreatment circulating leptin levels predicted lower weight gains after olanzapine treatments (r = -0.93; p < 0.05) after controlling for the effect of sex.