Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study

Abstract Background Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mental disorder characterized by significant cognitive dysfunction, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. Oxidative stress and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) influence the pathophysiology of BD. Their specific roles, particu...

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Main Authors: Qun Yang, Chuanwei Li, Fei Jiang, Jiancheng Qiu, Haidong Yang, Qing Tian, Xiaobin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06698-3
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author Qun Yang
Chuanwei Li
Fei Jiang
Jiancheng Qiu
Haidong Yang
Qing Tian
Xiaobin Zhang
author_facet Qun Yang
Chuanwei Li
Fei Jiang
Jiancheng Qiu
Haidong Yang
Qing Tian
Xiaobin Zhang
author_sort Qun Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mental disorder characterized by significant cognitive dysfunction, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. Oxidative stress and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) influence the pathophysiology of BD. Their specific roles, particularly concerning cognitive function during manic episodes, are unclear. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and GDNF were biochemically assayed in patients with bipolar mania before and after treatment to explore their associations with cognitive function. Methods A total of 75 patients in acute manic episodes of BD and 70 healthy controls were initially enrolled. During the 4-week intervention period with atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, 5 patients discontinued follow-up, resulting in 70 completers included in the final analysis. The severity of manic symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Cognitive function was assessed by the Digit Cancellation, Stroop Color and Word, and Trail Making Tests. Serum levels of SOD, MDA, and GDNF were measured using biochemical assays. Results BD patients demonstrated higher serum SOD and MDA levels and lower GDNF levels compared to controls, following improvements after treatment. Pre-treatment YMRS scores and cognitive function assessments positively correlated with SOD and MDA levels, and negatively correlated with GDNF levels. Treatment significantly improved manic symptoms and cognitive function, although GDNF levels remained lower than in controls. Conclusions The demonstrated associations with symptoms and cognitive functions during the manic phase substantially advance the understanding of the role of oxidative stress and GDNF in BD. Possible biomarkers for BD diagnosis and prognosis assessment are revealed. Further investigations into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of BD are needed. Clinical trial number Not applicable
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spelling doaj-art-9ff3539e32bf4e018503fd72f89d25f42025-08-20T03:41:47ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-03-0125111010.1186/s12888-025-06698-3Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective studyQun Yang0Chuanwei Li1Fei Jiang2Jiancheng Qiu3Haidong Yang4Qing Tian5Xiaobin Zhang6Department of Psychiatry, Nantong Mental Health Center, The Fourth People’s Hospital of NantongSuzhou Psychiatric Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Nantong Mental Health Center, The Fourth People’s Hospital of NantongDepartment of Psychiatry, Nantong Mental Health Center, The Fourth People’s Hospital of NantongDepartment of Psychiatry, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, The Affiliated KangDa College of Nanjing Medical UniversitySuzhou Psychiatric Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou Psychiatric Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow UniversityAbstract Background Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mental disorder characterized by significant cognitive dysfunction, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. Oxidative stress and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) influence the pathophysiology of BD. Their specific roles, particularly concerning cognitive function during manic episodes, are unclear. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and GDNF were biochemically assayed in patients with bipolar mania before and after treatment to explore their associations with cognitive function. Methods A total of 75 patients in acute manic episodes of BD and 70 healthy controls were initially enrolled. During the 4-week intervention period with atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, 5 patients discontinued follow-up, resulting in 70 completers included in the final analysis. The severity of manic symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Cognitive function was assessed by the Digit Cancellation, Stroop Color and Word, and Trail Making Tests. Serum levels of SOD, MDA, and GDNF were measured using biochemical assays. Results BD patients demonstrated higher serum SOD and MDA levels and lower GDNF levels compared to controls, following improvements after treatment. Pre-treatment YMRS scores and cognitive function assessments positively correlated with SOD and MDA levels, and negatively correlated with GDNF levels. Treatment significantly improved manic symptoms and cognitive function, although GDNF levels remained lower than in controls. Conclusions The demonstrated associations with symptoms and cognitive functions during the manic phase substantially advance the understanding of the role of oxidative stress and GDNF in BD. Possible biomarkers for BD diagnosis and prognosis assessment are revealed. Further investigations into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of BD are needed. Clinical trial number Not applicablehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06698-3Bipolar disorderOxidative stressGlial cell line-derived neurotrophic factorCognition
spellingShingle Qun Yang
Chuanwei Li
Fei Jiang
Jiancheng Qiu
Haidong Yang
Qing Tian
Xiaobin Zhang
Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
BMC Psychiatry
Bipolar disorder
Oxidative stress
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
Cognition
title Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
title_full Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
title_fullStr Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
title_full_unstemmed Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
title_short Effects of oxidative stress and GDNF on patients with bipolar disorder: a prospective study
title_sort effects of oxidative stress and gdnf on patients with bipolar disorder a prospective study
topic Bipolar disorder
Oxidative stress
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
Cognition
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06698-3
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