Effect of Adiposity and Type of Antipsychotic Medication on Plasma Levels of Resistin and Adiponectin in Patients with Major Mental Illnesses

Abstract

Metabolic alteration is not uncommon in patients with major mental illnesses (MMI) and adipokines are thought to play some 
roles. Presently, the link between adiposity, adipokines release and MMI is still poorly understood. This study was carried out to 
determine the possible impact of central adiposity and type of antipsychotic medication on plasma levels of adiponectin and 
resistin in patients with MMI. Plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin were determined in ninety adults comprising 65 patients 
with MMI and 25 apparently healthy individuals, who served as controls. Anthropometry and blood pressure (BP) of the study 
participants were taken using standard methods. Anthropometric indices, BP and plasma level of adiponectin, but not resistin,
were significantly higher in patients with MMI compared with the controls. The median plasma adiponectin level was 
significantly higher in patients with depression compared with patients with schizophrenia and the controls. However, the median 
plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin were insignificantly higher in patients with central obesity compared with patients 
without central obesity and in patients on atypical drugs compared with patients on typical drugs. Also, there was no significant 
difference in the median plasma levels of adiponectin and resistin in patients on clozapine or olanzapine compared with those on 
risperidone. It could be concluded from this study that patients with MMI have elevated level of adiponectin which does not 
appear to be influenced by central adiposity and type of antipsychotic medication.