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Observational Study
. 2024 Dec 16;67(1):e84.
doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.1765.

Intestinal permeability biomarkers in patients with schizophrenia: Additional support for the impact of lifestyle habits

Leticia González-Blanco  1   2   3   4   5 , Francesco Dal Santo  1   2   3   4 , Maria Paz García-Portilla  1   2   3   4   5 , Miqueu Alfonso  6 , Carla Hernández  6 , Mónica Sánchez-Autet  6 , Gerard Anmella  7   8   9 , Silvia Amoretti  5   10   11   12   13   14 , Gemma Safont  5   15   16 , David Martín-Hernández  17   18   19 , Stefanie Malan-Müller  17   18   19 , Miquel Bernardo  5   10   11 , Belén Arranz  5   6
Affiliations
Observational Study

Intestinal permeability biomarkers in patients with schizophrenia: Additional support for the impact of lifestyle habits

Leticia González-Blanco et al. Eur Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between "leaky gut syndrome" and low-grade systemic inflammation in individuals with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Gut dysbiosis could increase intestinal permeability, allowing the passage of toxins and bacteria into the systemic circulation, subsequently triggering immune-reactive responses. This study delves into understanding the relationship between plasma markers of intestinal permeability and symptom severity in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the influence of lifestyle habits on these intestinal permeability markers was determined.

Methods: Biomarkers of intestinal permeability, namely lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), were analyzed in 242 adult schizophrenia patients enrolled in an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study from four centers in Spain (PI17/00246). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, including psychoactive drug use, lifestyle habits, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to evaluate schizophrenia symptom severity, and the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry to assess cognitive performance.

Results: Results revealed elevated levels of LBP and LPS in a significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia (62% and 25.6%, respectively). However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between these biomarkers and the overall clinical severity of psychotic symptoms or cognitive performance, once confounding variables were controlled for. Interestingly, adherence to a Mediterranean diet was negatively correlated with I-FABP levels (beta = -0.186, t = -2.325, p = 0.021), suggesting a potential positive influence on intestinal barrier function.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of addressing dietary habits and promoting a healthy lifestyle in individuals with schizophrenia, with potential implications for both physical and psychopathological aspects of the disorder.

Keywords: cognition; diet; intestinal permeability; psychopathology; schizophrenia.

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Conflict of interest statement

L.G.-B. has been a consultant to and/or has received honoraria/grants from the Spanish Foundation of Psychiatry and Mental Health, European Psychiatric Association, ISCIII (PI21/01393), Otsuka, Lundbeck, Janssen-Cilag, Casen Recordati, Angelini, and Pfizer. F.D.S. has received grants from the Spanish Foundation of Psychiatry and Mental Health and the European Psychiatric Association. M.P.G.-P. has been a consultant to and/or has received honoraria/grants from Angelini, Otsuka-Lundbeck Alliance, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, and Pfizer. M.B. has been a consultant to, received grant/research support and honoraria from, and been on the speakers/advisory board of ABBiotics, Adamed, Angelini, Casen Recordati, Janssen-Cilag, Menarini, Rovi, and Takeda. G.A. has received continuing medical education (CME)-related honoraria or consulting fees from Angelini, Casen Recordati, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Lundbeck/Otsuka, and Rovi, with no financial or other relationship relevant to the subject of this article. S.A. has been a consultant to and/or has received honoraria/grants from Otsuka-Lundbeck. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests related to the current work.

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