In-vitro immunomodulatory effects of haloperidol and perazine in schizophrenia.
There are some reports describing concurrent changes in lymphocytic and monocytic activities in schizophrenia. In this study we investigated T cell activity in schizophrenic patients by measuring the release of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) by T cells and the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in blood. The release of IL-2 and sIL-2R by T cells was evaluated in dilute whole blood after in-vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. IL-2 levels and the percentage of CD4-cells tended to decrease and sIL-2R levels decreased significantly in schizophrenic patients. Haloperidol and perazine significantly decreased IL-2 levels and increased sIL-2R levels and the percentage CD4-cells. IL-2 and sIL-2R levels were lower in patients with a predominance of positive symptoms. The neuroleptic-induced increase in sIL-2R levels was higher in patients with a predominance of positive symptoms compared with those in whom both positive and negative symptoms were severe. The study has shown that T-cell activity is reduced in schizophrenia and that neuroleptics may have immunomodulatory properties.
Kowalski
J
J
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
Blada
P
P
Kucia
K
K
Lawniczek
T
T
Madej
A
A
Belowski
D
D
Herman
Z S
ZS
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010464:Perazine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000187:drug effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D010464:Perazine; D006220:Haloperidol