The influence of some antipsychotics on erythrocyte magnesium and plasma magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc in patients with paranoid schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was the investigation of plasma magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc and erythrocyte magnesium levels in patients with paranoid schizophrenia and the influence of the therapy with two antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol and risperidone) on these concentrations.

METHODS

We investigated the influence of treatment with haloperidol and risperidoneon plasma and erythrocyte magnesium and on plasmatic levels of zinc, calcium and copper on hospitalized 56 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (DSM IV).

RESULTS

Our data indicate a decrease of erythrocyte magnesium levels in schizophrenic patients (4.82 +/- 3.1 mg/L vs. 59.2 +/- 1.1 mg/L in control group, p < 0.01). The plasma level of magnesium was unchanged (18.9 +/- 2.17 mg/L in schizophrenic patients vs. 18.26 +/- 1.9 mg/L in control group).

CONCLUSIONS

We consider plasma Cu(2+)/erythrocyte Mg(2+) and plasma Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) ratio two important biological markers of the acute paranoid schizophrenia.