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Serum S100B is related to insulin resistance and zinc-α2-glycoprotein levels in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Middle East Current Psychiatry volume 30, Article number: 65 (2023) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Elevated serum levels of S100B may associate with insulin resistance and other metabolic complication in schizophrenia patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum S100B levels with cardiometabolic parameters, serum levels of zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG), and the severity of schizophrenia symptoms in schizophrenic patients. We recruited 42 patients with chronic schizophrenia. The participant's body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Serum levels of low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c and HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, S100B, and ZAG levels were determined. The Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) was used to quantify insulin resistance (IR) and the severity of schizophrenia was measured using a positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) score.

Results

The results showed that the mean serum S100B levels increased significantly with increasing HOMA-IR and ZAG levels (β = 0.595, 95% confidence interval (CI) (8.722 to 26.002), p < 0.001; and β = 0.334, 95% CI 0.067 to 0.525, p = 0.013 respectively). Patients under treatment with atypical antipsychotic medications (AAPM) had lower serum S100B levels (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that alteration in glucose metabolism and ZAG secretion may increase serum S100B levels in patients with schizophrenia.

Background

Schizophrenia is a severe and debilitating mental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1% [1]. Several studies have put forward hypotheses about the incidence of schizophrenia, one of which is the damage of glial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) is produced by astrocytes and is involved in various intracellular and extracellular processes, such as the regulation of protein phosphorylation, glucose metabolism, and calcium homeostasis [2, 3].

S100B, depending on its concentration, can be considered a neurotrophic or neurotoxic factor [4]. Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of S100B have been reported in a number of studies in schizophrenic patients [5, 6]; in this regard, verified dysfunction of glial cells might be presented as an important marker to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia [7]. In a meta-analysis study (including 13 studies, 420 patients with schizophrenia, and 393 healthy individuals), the levels of S100B were reported to be higher in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy subjects [8]. In addition, a positive correlation between CSF and serum levels of S100B has been observed in animal and human studies [9, 10]. The findings are contradictory regarding the relationship between serum levels of S100B and the severity of the patient’s symptoms. In a study conducted by Rothermundt et al., it was found that serum levels of S100B were positively correlated with negative symptoms [11]; however, in some other studies, no relationship has been found between serum levels of S100B and schizophrenia severity. Furthermore, according to a study by Dev et al. (2013) on clozapine-treated schizophrenic patients, no significant association was found between serum S100B levels and symptom severity [12]. Except for the central nervous system (CNS), S100B is also expressed or secreted in other tissues, including adipose tissue [13]. The concentration of S100B in adipose tissue can be controlled by various factors, such as glucagon, adrenaline, and insulin [13]. According to the literature, metabolic disorders such as visceral obesity, diabetes, and peripheral/cerebral IR may have a role in elevated S100B serum levels in schizophrenia. ZAG, as a relatively new adiponectin, is a 41-kDa soluble glycoprotein implicating in IR and involved in body composition, energy balance, and metabolic homeostasis [14]. It was previously reported that ZAG is negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), fat mass, plasma insulin, and leptin, which also decreases plasma levels of glucose and triglycerides [15, 16].

Accordingly, we assumed that serum S100B levels increase in schizophrenia; thus, we investigated the correlation between S100B levels and cardiometabolic parameters, serum levels of ZAG, and severity of symptoms to identify factors influencing the serum S100B level.

Material and methods

Study design and participants

This cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 2019 to January 2020. Forty-two patients were recruited from the Razi Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. The inclusion criteria were as follows: male patient diagnosed with schizophrenia using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria, having PANSS score of 70 or higher and age 18–65 years old; the exclusion criteria included: subject with mental retardation (intelligence quotient of < 70), receiving nutritional supplements over the past year, the simultaneous onset of other major psychiatric disorders or changes in treatment and medication during the intervention.

Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical assessment

For each patient, socio-demographic information was collected. Anthropometric data were collected through physical examination. BW, height, WC, and resting BP were made in duplicate and averaged. All the measurements were performed by one person to minimize the error rate. Body mass index (BMI) was collected as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

Participants’ venous blood samples were collected after 8–12 h overnight fast. The samples were centrifuged and serums were isolated and stored at − 80 °C until analysis. Serum levels of LDL-c, HDL-C, TG, CHOL, and FBG were determined by enzymatic methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Bioassay Technology Laboratory) determined serum levels of S100B, ZAG, and insulin. The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated according to the formula: fasting insulin (μU/mL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/405.

Dyslipidemia was defined as any one of TG ≥ 150 mg/dL, total CHOL ≥ 200 mg/dl, LDL- c ≥ 160 mg/dl, HDL-c < 40 mg/dL, and/or using cholesterol-lowering medicines during the last 2 weeks, diabetes mellitus as defined, FBG level of ≥ 126 mg/dl or drug use, overweight or obesity as defined BMI ≥ 25 (kg/m2) and hypertension as defined ≥ 140/90 mmHg for SBP/DBP or drug use.

PANSS was used to determine the severity of the disorder. This tool is a 30-item scale composed of subscales to assess negative (seven items), positive (seven items), and general psychopathological (sixteen items) symptoms of schizophrenia; the sum of these three scores demonstrates the total score.

Statistical analyses

Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was employed to check the normal distribution of data. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and as median (inter-quartile range) for normally distributed variables and non-normal distributed variables, respectively. Independent samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare between groups. Univariate logistic regression analyses, univariate, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine the predictive factors of serum S100B levels. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Forty-two schizophrenic patients were included in the evaluation. Demographic data, current medication, clinical characteristics and symptoms severity of the study population are presented in Table 1. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the median value of serum S100B levels (57.200 ng/mL): S100B ranges below 57.200 ng/mL (22 patients, 50.30% of the population) and S100B higher than 57.200 ng/ml (20 patients, 49.70% of the population). Patients with high S100B had higher HOMA-IR and ZAG levels (1.17 (0.92, 1.86) vs 2.65 (1.25, 4.04), p = 0.037) and 43.10 (27.35, 52.70) vs 72.25 (44.72, 127.95), p = 0.005) and patients under treatment with AAPM had lower serum S100B levels p = 0.035) (Table 2).

Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study’s patients
Full size table
Table 2 Patients’ characteristics grouped by serum S100B concentration: demographic data
Full size table

To find which factors might influence the serum S100B levels in schizophrenic patients, we performed univariate and multivariate regression analyses (Table 3). The results showed that the mean S100B levels increased significantly with increasing HOMA-IR and ZAG (β = 0.573, 95% CI 8.956 to 24.412, p < 0.001; and β = 0.469, 95% CI 0.162 to 0.670, p = 0.002 respectively). No other variables showed any influence on serum S100B level. To build a model of the serum S100B level, we used a stepwise forward inclusion and backward elimination procedure, in multivariate linear regression analysis, predictive factors for high serum S100B levels were HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and ZAG (p = 0.013).

Table 3 Univariate linear regression analyses of factors that correlate with higher S100B levels
Full size table

Discussion

In the present study, we evaluated the association between serum S100B levels, metabolic complications parameters, and severity of symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients.

In accordance with the literature, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between HOMA-IR and serum S100B levels. Insulin has been shown to downregulate S100B expression in the cerebral and peripheral targets [17]; while in contrast, IR or glucose intolerance appears to induce the expression and release of S100B [17]. Previous studies have shown that insulin signaling was disrupted in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenic patients [18].

A study by Steiner et al. showed that S100B was elevated in both unmediated and medicated schizophrenic patients, and IR resulted in an increased release of S100B from the brain and adipose tissue [19]. Altered glucose homeostasis may be part of sedentary behaviors, unhealthy diets, smoking, and antipsychotic treatments in schizophrenic patients [20, 21].

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that shows a positive correlation between serum S100B and ZAG levels in schizophrenia. Although it may seem that these two substances may have different mechanisms (i.e., S100B is known as an inflammatory factor, while ZAG is known as a noninflammatory factor), there may be similarities between them. 3T3-L1 adipocytes are one of the main sources of S100B secretion [22], and, interestingly, these cells also synthesize ZAG [23]. The same synthesis origin may lead to connections between them.

The next hypothesis is about zinc as an essential micronutrient. In addition to calcium, S100B can form dimers with other divalent ions such as zinc. Zinc binding to S100B increases its affinity to calcium, target peptides, and proteins [24]. S100B also affects homeostasis and regulates the amount of zinc in the brain [25]. On the other hand, the molecular structure of ZAG has zinc-binding sites (one strong zinc-binding site and up to 15 weak zinc-binding sites), that regulate the homeostasis of ZAG in the body [26]. The effect on zinc may be a common denominator between S100B and ZAG.

Moreover, there is also evidence for the effects of hormones on S100B and ZAG levels., both S100B and ZAG are downregulated by circulating insulin; also, studies have shown an inverse relationship between plasma leptin and S100B and ZAG levels [27].

Our findings also indicate that patients treated with AAPM had lower serum S100B levels. Studies have shown that AAPM (such as clozapine, haloperidol, and risperidone) reduced S100B levels. This mechanism occurs through the inhibition of astrocytic dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2) [28, 29]. In the present study, no association was found between serum levels of S100B and other metabolic and clinical factors. The selected patients were hospitalized patients with chronic schizophrenia, all of whom had been treated with various antipsychotic drugs for many years, and, consequently, all had metabolic complications; this may be one of the reasons for the lack of correlation between other metabolic factors and serum S100B levels. There are some limitations in our study, including the relatively small sample size of patients; further, this study was observational, and it is impossible to account for all possible confounding factors.

Conclusion

The findings of our study demonstrate that high levels of plasma S100B in patients may contribute to IR and ZAG levels. However, further studies are needed to replicate our findings.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

ZAG:

Zinc-α2-glycoprotein

BW:

Body weight

WC:

Waist circumference

BP:

Blood pressure

HDL:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

TG:

Triglyceride

CHOL:

Cholesterol

FBG:

Fasting blood glucose

HOMA:

Homeostatic Model Assessment

IR:

Insulin resistance

PANSS:

Positive and negative syndrome scale

CI:

Confidence interval

AAPM:

Atypical antipsychotic medications (AAPM)

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

BMI:

Body mass index

SD:

Standard deviation

CNS:

Central nervous system

DRD2:

Dopamine D2 receptors

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

DSM-IV-TR:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the patients who participated in the study. This study was derived from a Doctoral thesis approved at the Ethics Committee of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran (Ethical No: IR.TBZMED.REC.1397.1025, ID: 61676, https://ethics.research.ac.ir/ProposalCertificateEn.php?id=51890&Print=true&NoPrintHeader). All authors were involved in manuscript writing and they read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, IRAN supported this study. (Grant number: 61676).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Parinaz Kalejahi

  2. Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Sorayya Kheirouri & Seyed Gholamreza Noorazar

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  1. Parinaz Kalejahi
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Contributions

Sorayya Kheirouri and Parinaz Kalejahi: concept and design the study. Seyed Gholamreza Noorazar: diagnose and introduce patients. Parinaz Kalejahi: data collection and interpretation of the data. Sorayya Kheirouri, Parinaz Kalejahi, and Seyed Gholamreza Noorazar: wrote the manuscript with input from all authors. All authors discussed and approved the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sorayya Kheirouri.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

The ethics committee of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences approved the study protocol and the trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (code: IRCT20190313043039N1). Written informed consent was also obtained from a first-degree relative of each patient before the participant were enrolled in the study.

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Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Kalejahi, P., Kheirouri, S. & Noorazar, S.G. Serum S100B is related to insulin resistance and zinc-α2-glycoprotein levels in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Middle East Curr Psychiatry 30, 65 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-023-00332-2

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