Evaluation of adiponectin and leptin levels and oxidative stress in bipolar disorder patients with metabolic syndrome treated by valproic acid

Introduction: An increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MS) has been described for people with psychotic and mood disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of valproic acid (VPA) treatment on adiponectin, leptin levels and oxidative stress in bipolar disorder (BD). Methods: Forty patients with BD receiving VPA monotherapy and 20 healthy control subjects were included in this study. BD patients were divided into two groups with and without MS as group 1 and group 2, respectively. Twenty BD patients diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM IV) were assessed for MS according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria. Adiponectin, leptin, protein carbonyls, sulfhydryl (–SH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in 40 BD patients and 20 control subjects. Results: Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in group 1 patients than in group 2 and control subjects (p