Serum levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) in patients with different psychiatric disorders

Evidence suggests that psychiatric patients are at an increased vascular risk. In this exploratory pilot study, we hypothesized that low levels of the soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) might be found in psychiatric patients due to its association with atherothrombosis. We recruited 74 patients with different psychiatric disorders (39 schizophrenia, 10 major depression, 13 bipolar disorder and 12 personality disorder) and 74 healthy controls. Serum levels of sRAGE were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. In univariate analysis, serum sRAGE levels of the patient groups with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder were significantly lower than that of the control group. The median sRAGE levels of these diagnostic groups were comparable with those reported in patients with prior atherothrombotic events. After allowance for potential confounders, the odds of reduced sRAGE remained independently associated with schizophrenia and major depression. Although subject to future confirmation, our findings suggest that the reduced serum sRAGE may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in schizophrenia and major depression.