title: Cytokine production in drug-free and neuroleptic-treated schizophrenic patients.
abstract: A line of evidence indicates changes of the immune system in schizophrenic patients. We investigated the production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in drug-free and neuroleptic-treated schizophrenic patients compared to healthy, normal controls. A significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-2 production was detected in untreated schizophrenic patients (-59.6%; p < .05) as well as in IL-3-like activity (IL-3-LA) production (-27.4%; p < .05) in treated patients compared to controls. No alteration was observed in IL-1 beta production. It seems that schizophrenia is associated with diminished IL-2 production, while neuroleptic treatment interferes with the capacity of immunocompetent cells to synthesize and/or release Il-3-LA. The alteration in cytokine production did not correlate with either the severity of the disorder or the serum prolactin levels.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011388:Prolactin