Abstract
Introduction: The present study was undertaken to determine if patients with schizophrenia on clozapine
monotherapy have lower serum levels of peptide YY [PYY(1-36)], which is an endogenous
inhibitor of food intake, comparing to healthy controls.
Methods: Data for 24 patients (mean age 38.8 years) with paranoid schizophrenia on clozapine
monotherapy and 24 healthy subjects (gender- and age-matched; mean age 39.9 years)
were analyzed.
Results: Fasting serum levels of PYY(1–36) were lower in the clozapine group (178.4±138.4
vs. 277.4±218.1 pg/mL, p=0.034). In the whole study sample PYY(1–36) levels were lower
in subjects with body mass index≥25 kg/m2 (p=0.03) and in subjects with abdominal obesity defined using International Diabetes
Foundation criteria (p=0.04). There were no significant differences for metabolic
syndrome, smoking, impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidemia, and homeostatic model assessment
(HOMA) defined insulin resistance.
Discussion: Results suggest that weight is associated with levels of PYY. Patients on clozapine
had higher body mass index, but not fat mass index or body weight, therefore lower
levels of PYY(1–36) in patients taking clozapine may result from clozapine-induced
weight gain and central obesity.
Key words
schizophrenia - clozapine - PYY - metabolic syndrome