The influence of age and gender on niacin skin test results – implications for the use as a biochemical marker in schizophrenia

Investigation of abnormal skin response to niacin (vitamin B3) stimulation has gained increasing interest in schizophrenia research during last years. However, current efforts to implement niacin tests in routine diagnostics are jeopardised by wide inter-individual variations of skin response. We in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychiatric research 2004-09, Vol.38 (5), p.537-543
Main Authors: Smesny, Stefan, Rosburg, Timm, Klemm, Silke, Riemann, Sven, Baur, Kati, Rudolph, Nicole, Grunwald, Sebastian, Sauer, Heinrich
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Age
Age Factors
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - analysis
Female
Gender
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Niacin - administration & dosage
Niacin - pharmacology
Niacin skin test
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Reference Values
Reproducibility of Results
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - diagnosis
Schizophrenia - physiopathology
Sex Factors
Skin Tests
Vasodilator Agents - administration & dosage
Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology
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Summary:Investigation of abnormal skin response to niacin (vitamin B3) stimulation has gained increasing interest in schizophrenia research during last years. However, current efforts to implement niacin tests in routine diagnostics are jeopardised by wide inter-individual variations of skin response. We investigated age and gender as potential factors of influence on niacin sensitivity in 117 healthy subjects (63 male, 54 female). Niacin was applied in three dilution steps (0.1, 0.01, 0.001 M) onto the inner forearm skin. Skin reaction was assessed in three minute intervals over 15 min using optical reflection spectroscopy. Males displayed a significantly weaker flush response than females. The rate of non-responders at the lowest concentration was about twice as high in men than women. Significant negative correlations between age and niacin sensitivity were revealed for both sexes. Age and gender considerably influence niacin sensitivity, possibly due to the effects of sex hormones on vasomotor function and prostaglandin metabolism. Consideration of gender and age is strongly recommended for further clinical niacin studies.
ISSN:0022-3956
1879-1379
DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2004.01.007