The purpose of the article:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) and
matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are involved in the processes of neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Growing number of studies shows a relationship between
BDNF or MMP-9 and
schizophrenia. Also,
BDNF and MMP-9 levels may be affected by metabolic parameters, such as
obesity or
dyslipidemia. Our hypothesis is that alterations of
BDNF or MMP-9 levels in
schizophrenia might be secondary to metabolic abnormalities, often found among
schizophrenia patients. Materials and methods: We have compared
BDNF and MMP-9 between patients with
schizophrenia (n = 64, age 49 ± 8.2 y) and healthy controls (n = 32, age 51 ± 8.9 y) in the context of cardio-metabolic parameters. Serum levels of
BDNF and MMP-9 were measured using ELISA test, body composition parameters were determined using bioelectric impedance analysis. Results and conclusions: Our results showed significantly lowered serum
BDNF concentration in the
schizophrenia group (
schizophrenia: 23.8 ± 7.83 ng/mL, control: 27.69 ± 8.11 ng/mL, p = 0.03). Serum MMP-9 concentration in
schizophrenia group did not differ compared with the control group (
schizophrenia: 456.8 ± 278.4 ng/mL, control: 341.5 ± 162.4 ng/mL, p = 0.07). After adjusting for age, all anthropometric parameters, body composition and laboratory tests
BDNF were still significantly lower in the
schizophrenia group. However, MMP-9 became significantly elevated in the
schizophrenia group after adjusting for several anthropometric and body composition covariates. Our results confirmed reduced serum
BDNF concentration in patients with
schizophrenia. Also, this reduction seems to be independent of metabolic abnormalities. On the other hand, our hypothesis that MMP-9 level in
schizophrenia is altered due to metabolic abnormalities might be true.