Membrane Hypothesis Research Articles

A Population-Wide Assessment of Decrease in Intracellular Hydration with Age and Certain Health Conditions

Objectives: The membrane hypothesis of aging suggests that age-related changes in the balance of Intracellular Water (ICW) to Extracellular Water (ECW) may play a significant role in the degenerative processes associated with aging.

Trending toward gero‐electroceuticals that target membrane potential for reprogramming aging and lifespan

AbstractIon gradients across cell membranes generate voltage potentials that are involved in a wide range of biological processes. According to the membrane hypothesis of aging, aging is inextricably linked to a decrease in resting membrane potential (Vmem). Alterations in ion channel activity and membrane fluidity caused by aging disrupt bioelectric homeostasis, increase intracellular calcium and potassium concentrations, induce abnormal mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR)‐ and AMPK‐regulated metabolism and energy dissipation, and decrease proliferation and regeneration. Failure to maintain ion channel activity and membrane potential leads to cell senescence or death. There is evidence that by manipulating ion channel activities, a cryptic memory can be recalled to restore lost proliferative or regenerative abilities. Reversal or prevention of senescence, aging phenotypes, and longevity may be achieved by fine‐tuning mitochondrial membrane polarization. Therefore, there is optimism that deciphering the bioelectric codes that govern cell functions will lead to the development of new gero‐electroceuticals that restore cell function and prevent tissue loss during aging.

Uncovering the Potential of Lipid Drugs: A Focus on Transient Membrane Microdomain-targeted Lipid Therapeutics

Membrane lipids are generally viewed as inert physical barriers, but many vital cellular processes greatly rely on the interaction with these structures, as expressed by the membrane hypothesis that explain the genesis of schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue or cancer. The concept that the cell membrane displays transient membrane microdomains with distinct lipid composition providing the basis for the development of selective lipid-targeted therapies, the membrane-lipid therapies (MLTs). In this concern, medicinal chemists may design therapeutically valuable compounds 1) with a higher affinity for the lipids in these microdomains to restore the normal physiological conditions, 2) that can directly or 3) indirectly (via enzyme inhibition/activation) replace damaged lipids or restore the regular lipid levels in the whole membrane or microdomain, 4) that alter the expression of genes related to lipid genesis/metabolism or 5) that modulate the pathways related to the membrane binding affinity of lipid-anchored proteins. In this context, this mini-review aims to explore the structural diversity and clinical applications of some of the main membrane and microdomain-targeted lipid drugs.

Numerical study on oblique stretching of viscoelastic polymer film

• Numerical format for oblique stretching of viscoelastic film is established. • The application scenarios of the membrane hypothesis are expanded. • Detailed numerical procedure and a complete numerical case are provided. • The influence of the y -direction stretching on thickness uniformity is investigated. Oblique stretching is a special approach for the fabrication of polymer film whose product is mainly used in the optical display field, such as compensation films, retardation films, et al. Nonetheless, the previous research reports on oblique stretching processing are still lacking, and the related numerical research is almost blank. This contribution uses the FEM (finite element method) to simulate the oblique stretching process of viscoelastic polymer film for the first time. The differential viscoelastic PTT (Phan-Thien and Tanner) model, one of the most realistic constitutive models is chosen. Furthermore, the polycarbonate melt was rheologically characterized and used as input material parameters in our simulations. Based on the membrane hypothesis and stabilization algorithms like DEVSS (discrete elastic viscous stress splitting), the specific numerical scheme is derived and the algorithm implementation is summarized. Finally, a complete numerical example of oblique stretching is demonstrated and compared with symmetric stretching. Based on the simulation results, the evolution of thickness and the influence of the y -direction stretching on thickness uniformity are further investigated.

Does Dysbiosis Increase the Risk of Developing Schizophrenia? - A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

There is increasing evidence regarding the influence of the intestinal microbiota on the disease processes of various organs and systems. Dysbiosis, that is, alteration of the composition and function of the microbiota may constitute an important risk factor for the development of mental disorders, namely, schizophrenia. This works aims to review current evidence regarding the pathological mechanisms leading from dysbiosis to schizophrenia and in particular the deficit syndrome in schizophrenia. Scientific articles from PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science Core Collection published between September 2017 and December 2020 were included in this review. The commensal intestinal flora plays an important role in neurodevelopment. In the presence of dysbiosis, this maturation gets disturbed, resulting in the modification of brain structures and inflammatory responses at the intestinal, systemic, and Central Nervous System (CNS) levels. These disturbances may be linked to the development of symptoms of the disease. The microbiota exerts its influence on the CNS through several pathways, however, in this paper we focused on the membrane hypothesis and the inflammatory hypothesis. We explored the evidence concerning the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal transplants. Although there is no consensus regarding the alterations that could constitute a risk factor for schizophrenia, some of the species appear to be more frequently altered, and their relationship with the host is dysregulated in patients at risk and with established schizophrenia, particularly in deficit schizophrenia.

Zombie ideas about early endosymbiosis: Which entry mechanisms gave us the "endo" in different endosymbionts?

Recently, a review regarding the mechanics and evolution of mitochondrial fission appeared in Nature. Surprisingly, it stated authoritatively that the mitochondrial outer membrane, in contrast with the inner membrane of bacterial descent, was acquired from the host, presumably during uptake. However, it has been known for quite some time that this membrane was also derived from the Gram-negative, alpha-proteobacterium related precursor of present-day mitochondria. The zombie idea of the host membrane still surrounding the endosymbiont is not only wrong, but more importantly, might hamper the proper conception of possible scenarios of eukaryogenesis. Why? Because it steers the imagination not only with regard to possible uptake mechanisms, but also regarding what went on before. Here I critically discuss both the evidence for the continuity of the bacterial outer membrane, the reasons for the persistence of the erroneous host membrane hypothesis and the wider implications of these misconceptions for the ideas regarding events occurring during the first steps towards the evolution of the eukaryotes and later major eukaryotic differentiations. I will also highlight some of the latest insights regarding different instances of endosymbiont evolution.

Toward the use of small size bulge tests: Numerical and experimental study at small bulge diameter to sheet thickness ratios

For calibrating sheet metal hardening and anisotropic constitutive models, the bulge test has proven to be an invaluable tool. In recent studies, the analysis of the test has been considerably improved by using Digital Image Correlation. Despite the progress achieved in the analysis of the measured data, based on membrane hypotheses it is still necessary to use large bulge diameter to sheet thickness ratios of more than 100 in order to ensure the validity of the standard equations. In order to overcome this constraint, a numerical study of a wide range of specimen material behaviors and various bulge geometries is performed. The numerical results obtained are used to draw up new estimates for the bending strain, the radii of curvature and the average bulge stress. The numerical and experimental data show that the inner and the outer radii of curvature do not share the same center. This means that the difference between outer and inner radii of curvature is not equal to the thickness of the apex. The accuracy of the approach presented here is assessed on the basis of numerical simulations and experiments. Numerical simulations involve six different types of Swift and Voce behavior. Experimental validation is performed from original bending and curvature measurements on aluminum and steel bulges. Lastly, a hardening law identification algorithm is presented and compared with experimental results obtained for bulge diameters as small as 50 mm and bulge size ratios ranging from 42 to 150.

Lipides membranaires dans la schizophrénie et la psychose débutante : de potentiels biomarqueurs et pistes thérapeutiques ?

The various roles of membrane lipids in human health has urged researchers to study their impact in neuropsychiatric diseases, especially in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and more recently in early stages of psychosis. The progress in mass spectrometry technologies now allows a more comprehensive analysis of phospholipids (PL) and their fatty acid (FA) molecular species. FA are defined by a carbon chain of variable length and are said to be unsaturated when their chain has one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. The PL are composed of a hydrophilic polar head with a phosphoric acid group and an hydrophobic part with FAs; they encompass glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. The plasma membrane is a complex and dynamic structure consisting of a lipid bilayer composed of an outer layer and an inner layer of specific lipid composition. The permanent remodeling of membrane lipids involves phospholipases especially the phospholipase A2. Seventy percent of the brain consists of lipids from different classes and molecular species. Most of the brain lipids are composed of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched diacyl classes where omega-3 and omega-6 molecular species predominate. The balance between omega-3 and omega-6 is important for the neurodevelopment. PUFA are also involved in neurogenesis and neurotransmission. Sphingomyelin (SM) is a sphingolipid that influences inflammation, cell proliferation and lipid rafts formation. It is an important component of myelin sheaths of white matter and therefore is involved in cerebral connectivity. In rat models, deficiency in omega-3 causes abnormalities in dopaminergic neurotransmission, impacts on the functioning of some receptors (including cannabinoids CB1, glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, NMDA), and increases sensitivity to hallucinogens. In contrast, omega-3 supplementation improves cognitive function and prevents psychotic-like behavior in some animal models for schizophrenia. It also reduces oxidative stress and prevents demyelination. The historical membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia has led to explore the lipids abnormality in this disorder. This hypothesis was initially based on the observation of an abnormal membrane prostaglandin production in schizophrenia caused by a membrane arachidonic acid deficiency. It has evolved emphasizing the various PUFA membrane's roles in particular regarding oxidative stress, inflammation and regulation of the NMDA receptors. In patients with mental disorders, low omega-3 index is more frequent than in the general population. This lipid abnormality could lead to myelination abnormalities and cognitive deficits observed in patients. It could also participate in oxidative stress abnormalities and inflammation reported in schizophrenia. On the other hand, low omega-3 index deficit was reported to be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, and omega-3 supplementation may also have a positive cardiovascular impact in psychiatric patients, even more than in the general population. The presence of membrane lipid abnormalities is also found in patients during the first psychotic episode (FEP). The omega-3 supplementation improved the recovery rate and prevented the loss of gray matter in FEP. In patients at ultra-high risk to develop a psychotic disorder (UHR), omega-3 supplementation has been associated with a reduction of the rate of conversion to psychosis and with metabolic changes, such as decreased activity of phospholipase A2. However, this study has not as yet been replicated. Not all patients exhibit lipid abnormalities. Several studies, including studies from our team, have found a bimodal distribution of lipids in patients with schizophrenia. But some studies have found differences (in PUFA) in the acute phase whereas our studies (on phospholipids) are in chronic phases. It will be interesting to study in more depth the links between these two parameters. Furthermore, we identified a subgroup which was identified with a deficit in sphingomyelin and PUFA whereas others have found an increase of sphingomyelin. Individuals with this abnormal lipid cluster had more cognitive impairments and more severe clinical symptoms. Because the niacin test is an indirect reflection of arachidonic acid levels, it has been proposed to identify a subset of patients with membrane lipids anomalies. Niacin test response is influenced by several factors related to lipid metabolism, including cannabis use and phospholipase A2 activity. Despite progress, the function and impact of membrane lipids are still poorly understood in schizophrenia. They could serve as biomarkers for identifying biological subgroups among patients with schizophrenia. In UHR patients, their predictive value on the conversion to psychosis should be tested. Omega-3 supplementation could be a promising treatment thanks to its good tolerance and acceptability. It could be more appropriate for patients with PUFA anomalies in a more personalized medical approach.

From Bernstein's rheotome to Neher-Sakmann's patch electrode. The action potential.

The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the most important stages in the development of cellular electrophysiology. The period covered starts with Bernstein's formulation of the membrane hypothesis and the measurement of the nerve and muscle action potential. Technical innovations make discoveries possible. This was the case with the use of the squid giant axon, allowing the insertion of “large” intracellular electrodes and derivation of transmembrane potentials. Application of the newly developed voltage clamp method for measuring ionic currents, resulted in the formulation of the ionic theory. At the same time transmembrane measurements were made possible in smaller cells by the introduction of the microelectrode. An improvement of this electrode was the next major (r)evolution. The patch electrode made it possible to descend to the molecular level and record single ionic channel activity. The patch technique has been proven to be exceptionally versatile. In its whole‐cell configuration it was the solution to measure voltage clamp currents in small cells. See also: https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.13860 & https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.13862

Gut microbiome and magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis may support the membrane hypothesis

BackgroundThe microbiota-gut-brain axis and membrane dysfunction in the brain has attracted increasing attention in the field of psychiatric research. However, the possible interactive role of gut microbiota and brain function in the prodromal stage of schizophrenia has not been studied yet. MethodsTo explore this, we collected fecal samples and performed Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) scans in 81 high risk (HR) subjects, 19 ultra-high risk (UHR) subjects and 69 health controls (HC). Then we analyzed the differences in gut microbiota and choline concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ResultsPresences of the orders Clostridiales, Lactobacillales and Bacteroidales were observed at increase levels in fecal samples of UHR subjects compared to the other two groups. The composition changes of gut microbiota indicate the increased production of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), which could activate microglia and then disrupt membrane metabolism. Furthermore, this was confirmed by an increase of choline levels, a brain imaging marker of membrane dysfunction, which is also significantly elevated in UHR subjects compared to the HR and HC groups. ConclusionBoth gut microbiome and imaging studies of UHR subjects suggest the membrane dysfunction in the brain and hence might support the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Aging: Facts and theories

Due to demographic transition and its impact on economics and quality of life, ageing has assumed center stage for research in the scientific community. In the last five decades there has been an extensive conceptualization and experimentation to unravel the mysteries of ageing. This book is a part of an ongoing series, “Interdisciplinary Topics in Gerontology” and an attempt to critically appraise various mechanisms proposed as cause of ageing in light of scientific evidence and reasoning. The book has 12 chapters dealing with ageing process, authored by different experts in the subject. Each chapter dwells upon theoretical aspects in the particular field and experimental or observational facts supporting or refuting the theories or concepts. The book sojourns through oxidative stress and mitochondrial theory of ageing, commitment of cells to senescence, evolutionary theories of ageing, control of cell replication during ageing, cell senescence, ageing of cell communication, immunological theories of ageing, ageing as alteration, and longevity and its regulation. The chapter on the theories of ageing underlines the limitations of the popular Hayflick limit theory. It draws attention to the commitment theory of cellular ageing to fill in those lacunae in the experimental system due to which we are unable to explain the variability of different somatic cells (with division potential) with life span variability. Also, the limitation of extrapolation from experimental results could be countered. Evolutionary theory of ageing puts forth that ageing is a result of an accumulation of mutations: a negative effect of certain alleles in old age, originally selected for a positive effect at a younger age or a trade-off between reproduction and maintenance. Evolutionary theories explain some but not all aspects of ageing. The chapter on control of cell replication during ageing underlines the fallacious lead taken by researchers resulting in contradictions and paradoxes which need to be resolved to re-establish logic and understanding of cell replication control during ageing and its implications. Telomere shortening has shown variable results in different cell lines. The relationship between cell senescence and cancer has also not been justified. Experimental evidences for different theories of control of cell ageing, senescent phenotype, relation of senescence with cancer, etc. have been dealt with. Ageing of cell membrane and its biochemical consequences; the relationship between membrane hypothesis of ageing and genetic changes have also been explained along with anti-ageing experiments with centrophenoxine and growth hormone. The molecular basis of ageing mitochondrial dysfunction and role of oxidative stress have been well covered. A new perspective of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules in ageing has been mentioned in the chapter, “Oxidative stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Mitochondrial Theory of Ageing”. The concept put forward by the authors is that ROS may not be detrimental forces in ageing but simply the body's way of coping with ageing related cellular damage. However, a lot of work is still being done on ROS mediated cell damage in ageing. Antioxidants have been proven to be protective against such damage in animal models. A more balanced opinion comparing the two contrasting viewpoints could have been given instead of a casual mention of new concepts. Age dependent modifications in connective tissues in cellular and extracellular compartments are elaborated upon. Changes with ageing in macromolecular components of extracellular matrix, decline in receptor-mediated cell matrix interactions and implications of these changes in cardiovascular diseases and longevity are well covered. Changes in immunity with ageing predisposes to chronic diseases associated with inflammation affecting longevity. Age associated immune dysfunction partly explains ageing. Immune risk profile (IRP) as a predictor of longevity has been suggested but not substantiated. The relative fitness of the immune system in centenarians points to the role of the immune system in longevity; but there is increase in pro-inflammatory interleukin - 6 (IL-6) in centenarians rebuking this. The chapter on ageing of the brain and dementias discusses pathogenetic aspects of dementia syndromes. However, too much emphasis has been given on certain pathogenetic mechanisms such as protein misfolding. Oxidative stress, epigenetic mechanisms, age related gene up/ downregulation have not been accorded just place. Drosophila has been taken up as a model of human neurodegeneration. Other models and comparative benefits of each could also have been mentioned. The chapter, “Aging as Alteration” could have been clarified further for the non-specialist reader as certain concepts and sentences are confusing. Overall, this book is a good attempt to highlight new insights in this explosive area of research. In such an ever changing field, it is difficult to touch upon every aspect but barring a few shortcomings mentioned above, the authors have produced a comprehensive piece of work.

The fat of the matter: how dietary fatty acids can affect exercise performance.

Fatty-acid composition of fat stores affects exercise performance in a variety of vertebrates although few such studies focus on flying vertebrates such as migratory birds, which are exceptional exercisers. We first discuss the natural variation in quality of fat available in natural foods eaten by migratory birds and their behavioral preferences for specific fatty acids in these foods. We then outline three proposed hypotheses for how dietary fatty acids can affect exercise performance, and some of the evidence to date that pertains to these hypotheses with special emphasis on the exercise performance of migratory birds. In theory, selectively feeding on certain long-chain unsaturated fatty acids may be advantageous because (1) such fatty acids may be metabolized more quickly and may stimulate key facets of aerobic metabolism (fuel hypothesis); (2) such fatty acids may affect composition and key functions of lipid-rich cell membranes (membrane hypothesis); and (3) such fatty acids may directly act as signaling molecules (signal hypothesis). Testing these hypotheses requires cleverly designed experiments that can distinguish between them by demonstrating that certain fatty acids stimulate oxidative capacity, including gene expression and activity of key oxidative enzymes, and that this stimulation changes during exercise.

Aging of cell membranes: facts and theories.

This chapter is intended to outline the main results of a research trend realized by the author during the last 45 years, focused on the main role played by the cell membrane in the aging process. It is a very wide field; therefore, the reader cannot expect in this limited space a detailed description, but will be given a wide, interdisciplinary insight into the main facts and theories regarding cellular aging. The central idea described here is the concept called the membrane hypothesis of aging (MHA). The history, the chemical roots, physicochemical facts, biophysical processes, as well as the obligatory biochemical consequences are all touched in by indicating the most important sources of detailed knowledge for those who are more interested in the basic biology of the aging process. This chapter covers also the available anti-aging interventions on the cell membrane by means of the centrophenoxine treatment based on the MHA. It also briefly interprets the possibilities of a just developing anti-aging method by using the recombinant human growth hormone, essential basis of which is the species specificity, and the general presence of receptors of this hormone in the plasma membrane of all types of cells.

Carotid body chemotransduction gets the human touch

Carotid body chemotransduction gets the human touch

Stress Prediction Model for FRP Confined Rectangular Concrete Columns with Rounded Corners

AbstractThe paper uses the membrane hypothesis to formulate the confining behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) confined rectangular columns. A model was developed to calculate the strength of FRP confined rectangular concrete columns. The model was verified using a database of 190 FRP confined rectangular concrete columns. The database covers unconfined concrete strength between 18.3 and 55.2 MPa, and specimens with dimensions ranging from 79–305 mm and 100–305 mm for short and long sides, respectively. The performance of the proposed model shows a very good correlation with the experimental results. In addition, the strain distribution of FRP around the circumference of the rectangular sections was examined to propose an equation for predicting the actual rupture strain of FRP. The minimum corner radius of the sections is also recommended to achieve sufficient confinement.

H2S, a gasotransmitter for oxygen sensing in carotid body. Focus on “Endogenous H2S is required for hypoxic sensing by carotid body glomus cells”

MANY, IF NOT ALL, TISSUES possess the ability to sense hypoxia, and most tissues respond to hypoxia by reducing energy expenditure as a form of self-preservation. The carotid body, however, rapidly responds to hypoxic conditions by initiating cardiorespiratory reflexes in order to increase ventilation and systemic delivery of oxygen rather than initiating mechanisms for local conservation. The carotid body is made up of two types of cells, neuron-like glomus (type 1 cells) and glia-like sustentacular (type II) cells. The glomus cells were identified as the chemoreceptive component of the carotid body nearly 40 years ago in a seminal study by Verna and colleagues (8). Since then, much of the research on the carotid body has been devoted to understanding how glomus cells sense hypoxia and identifying the molecular components of this process. Following the identification of oxygen-sensitive K channels in glomus cells (3), a model of carotid body responsiveness termed the “membrane hypothesis” was developed. Briefly, hypoxia leads to inhibition of K channels, causing membrane depolarization, opening of voltage-dependent Ca 2 channels (VDCC), increasing cytosolic Ca 2 concentration ([Ca 2 ]cyt), and triggering the release of neurotransmitters (7,

Bend-free shells under uniform pressure with variable-angle tow derived anisotropy

Shells of variable radius of curvature may develop bending stress-resultants through the thickness under internal pressure. The severity of which depends on the rate of change of curvature of the mid-plane and the state of the boundary conditions [1]. In particular elliptical cylinders will develop relatively large bending stresses and curvatures under internal pressure. A bend-free shell is a specially designed structure, in which the external loading results in a zero bending stress resultant and a zero change in curvature. This work investigates the possibility of creating such states in composite shells by steering the fibre-tows, and hence tailoring the local orthotropy. In particular, the simple ellipsoid of revolution is studied, and solutions found in terms of the spatial trajectories of the lamination parametersVjI. Elliptical cylinders are also studied and the possibility of reducing bending deformation by tailoring extension-bend coupling explored. In general it was found that if the membrane hypothesis can be applied, then a totally bend-free shell may be designed by appealing to the materials constitutive equation. Doubly curved surfaces were found to be more amenable to the technique, while the moments in cylindrical shells were found to be impossible to suppress in the absence of additional secondary loading.

Increased Brain Membrane Fluidity in Schizophrenia

Recent findings showing significant correlations between phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and structural changes in schizophrenic brains contribute to the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia, which was hampered because a clean functional link between elevated PLA2 activity and brain structure was missing (Neuroimage, 2010; 52: 1314-1327). We measured membrane fluidity parameters and found that brain membranes isolated from the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients showed significantly increased flexibility of fatty acid chains. Our findings support a possible link between elevated PLA2 activity in cortical areas of schizophrenic patients and subsequent alterations of the biophysical parameters of neuronal membranes leading to structural changes in these areas.

Autistic disorder and phospholipids: A review

Dysregulated phospholipid metabolism has been proposed as an underlying biological component of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autistic disorder (AD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review provides an overview of fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism and evidence for phospholipid dysregulation with reference to the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. While there is evidence that phospholipid metabolism is at least impaired in individuals with AD, it has not been established whether phospholipid metabolism is implicated in causal, mechanistic or epiphenomenological models. More research is needed to ascertain whether breastfeeding, and specifically, the administration of colostrum or an adequate substitute can play a preventative role by supplying the neonate with essential fatty acids (EFAs) at a critical juncture in their development. Regarding treatment, further clinical trials of EFA supplementation are essential to determine the efficacy of EFAs in reducing AD symptomatology and whether supplementation can serve as a cost-effective and readily available intervention.

The variation of plasma four polyunsaturated fatty acids level in schizophrenias prior and post-treatment

Objective To investigate the variation of four plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs) level,including linoleic acid(LA), arachidonic acid(AA), eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) prior-and post-treatment.Methods The subjects were 30 inpatients with schizophrenia. The controls were 27 normal workers in the same psychiatric ward. PUFAs (LA,AA,EPA and DHA) were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography. The same procedures were done after six weeks of therapy with antipsychotic drugs. Results Regardless of prior or post treatment, the plasma levels of ω-6 fatty acids LA(735.86±40.48 mg/L and 783.75±29.05 mg/L)in patients with schizophrenia were significantly lower than in normal controls(995.83±14.23 mg/L and 991.39±14.20 mg/L) (P<0.01). No significant differences in the levels of ω-6 fatty acids AA were observed between patients and controls. The levels of ω-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in schizophrenic patients were higher than in normal controls,After six weeks of treatment with antipsychotic drugs, the plasma levels of EPA and DHA in the schizophrenic patients significantly decreased, tending to normal levels.Conclusions The plasma levels of ω-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in patients with schizophrenia are higher than normal, tending to normal levels after treatment, Which accords with the lipid membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. Key words: Schizophrenia; Linoleic acid; Arachidonic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid