%0 Journal Article
%T Decreased Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) in Individuals with Schizophrenia Normalizes after Zinc and B-6 Therapy
%A A.J. Russo and Robert deVito
%J Proteomics Insights
%D 2012
%I 
%R 10.4137/PRI.S6145
%X Aim: To assess serum HGF concentration in individuals with schizophrenia and investigate the efficacy of zinc and B-6 therapy on these levels. Subjects and methods: Serum from 18 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and 19 age and gender similar controls (P = 0.18) were tested for HGF concentration using ELISAs, and tested for copper and zinc plasma levels using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: HGF serum levels of individuals with schizophrenia, before zinc and B-6 therapy, were significantly lower than age and gender similar controls (P = 0.016), and significantly lower in schizophrenia patients pre-therapy compared to post therapy (P = 0.028). HGF levels normalized (reached levels similar to controls) post-therapy. Zinc levels in these same individuals also normalized, and perceived symptoms, particularly anxiety (P = 0.03), improved significantly after therapy. Discussion: These results suggest an association between low HGF levels and schizophrenia and demonstrate that zinc and B-6 therapy may be associated with the normalization of HGF levels and perceived improvement in symptoms.
%U http://www.la-press.com/decreased-serum-hepatocyte-growth-factor-hgf-in-individuals-with-schiz-article-a2388