Altered Adipocytokine Levels and Heart Rate Variability in Schizophrenic Patients with Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha), myocardial fibrosis, and long-term heart rate variability (HRV) in schizophrenic patients at risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: 45 subjects without schizophrenia or MS were recruited into the control group (group A), 45 schizophrenic patients not at risk for developing MS constituted group B, and 45 schizophrenic patients at risk of MS constituted group C. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and Hs-CRP were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ultrasonic acoustic densitometry (AD) analysis was performed to assess myocardial fibrosis, and 24 hours dynamic electrocardiography was conducted to determine HRV time-domain index. Results: Compared with the control group, schizophrenic patients at risk of MS displayed a reduced HRV (p < 0.05). The AD parameter CAI increased in schizophrenic patients with MS risk as compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas CVIB was significantly lowered (p > 0.05). Moreover, serum levels of TNF-alpha and Hs-CRP in the schizophrenic patients with MS risk were elevated compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Due to the influence of such factors as high glucose levels, hypertension and obesity, schizophrenic patients at risk of MS exhibited elevated levels of TNF-alpha and Hs-CRP, enhanced ventricular myocardial fibrosis, and reduced HRV, which might have resulted from structural changes and autonomic nervous dysfunction in cardiac tissues.