title: Effect of neuroleptic administration on serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor-alpha and IL-1 receptor antagonist in schizophrenic patients.
abstract: Activation of the inflammatory response system has been reported in schizophrenia. Levels of serum IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R(alpha)) were studied in 32 schizophrenic and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects before and after an 8-week treatment protocol. Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). At weeks 0 and 8, sIL-2R(alpha) levels were significantly higher than in the schizophrenic patients, as well as in a neuroleptic-naive subgroup, than in controls. Patients' sIL-2R(alpha) levels did not vary significantly between weeks 0 and 8. IL-1ra levels in controls did not differ significantly from those in patients at week 0 but were significantly lower at week 8. The patients' serum IL-1ra levels varied significantly between weeks 0 and 8. IL-1ra levels were significantly higher in the subgroup of neuroleptic-naive patients at week 0 than in controls. Levels of sIL-2R(alpha) at week 0 were positively correlated with PANSS positive and negative symptom scores at week 8, and levels at week 8 were positively correlated with PANSS total, positive symptom, and negative symptom scores at week 8. IL-1ra levels at week 0 were positively correlated with PANSS scores at week 8. There were positive correlations between both delta (baseline values minus endline values) IL-1ra and delta sIL-2R(alpha) levels and delta PANSS negative symptoms. The results provide evidence for immune activation in some schizophrenic patients and suggest that medication differentially affects the production of sIL-2R(alpha) and IL-1ra.
authors.affiliation: Y. Abarbanel Mental Health Center, 15 Keren Kayemet Street, Bat Yam 59100, Israel. psrt1a@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Pinkhas
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirota
authors.forename: Meital
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meiman
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herschko
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bessler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D006220:Haloperidol