title: Serum levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in exacerbation and remission phase of schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The variations in proinflamatory cytokine levels have been associated with schizophrenia (SCH), duration of illness, psychopathology and treatment. The aim of the study was to investigate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in schizophrenic patients during exacerbation and remission, and its association with course of illness and therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in 43 schizophrenic patients in exacerbation and remission and compared them to 29 healthy controls, matched by sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and smoking habits. The severity of psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in exacerbation compared to remission in schizophrenic patients. IL-6 was higher and TNF-α was lower in schizophrenic patients in both exacerbation and remission in comparison with healthy controls. TNF-α in exacerbation was in negative correlation with IL-6 in remission. No statistical significance was found between levels of cytokines and sex, age, BMI, smoking habits, antipsychotic medication, duration of treatment and duration of illness. IL-6 levels were in positive correlation with the age of onset and the duration of untreated psychosis. In schizophrenic patients on adjunctive treatment with mood stabilizers, TNF-α levels increased in remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the connection between schizophrenia, cytokines and medication is multifaceted, and not necessarily linear. Adjunct mood stabilizers not only ameliorate psychopathology, but might convey immunomodulatory effects as well. Further longitudinal studies could elucidate potential beneficial effect of combined therapy in treatment of SCH.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. bojanadunjic1978@gmail.com
authors.forename: Bojana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dunjic-Kostic
authors.forename: Miroslava
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jasovic-Gasic
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ivkovic
authors.forename: Nevena V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Radonjic
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pantovic
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damjanovic
authors.forename: Sanja Totic
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Poznanovic
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jovanovic
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Natasa D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Petronijevic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha