Increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations with interleukin-4 concentrations in exacerbations of schizophrenia.
Several studies have indicated that cytokines may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Previous studies, however, have yielded contradictory results; in this study we assess the plasma levels of both T-helper-1 (Th1) and T-helper-2 (Th2) cytokines in patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble receptor of interleukin-6 (sIL-6R) were measured with high sensitivity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia as compared with healthy controls. Patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia had significantly increased production of TNF-alpha and significantly reduced production of IL-4 as compared with healthy subjects. No significant difference was observed in IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-8 and IL-10. Acute exacerbations of schizophrenia are associated with increased TNF-alpha concentrations (Th1) with concomitantly reduced concentrations of IL-4 (Th2) and a resulting increased TNF-alpha/IL-4 ratio.
O'Brien
Sinead M
SM
Department of Psychiatry and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland.
Scully
Paul
P
Dinan
Timothy G
TG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D035061:Control Groups; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D016207:Cytokines; D016209:Interleukin-8; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4