title: Cytokine profile in drug-naïve, first episode patients with psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An increasing body of evidence suggests that immunological changes may play a role in schizophrenia but the results of the studies are controversial and little is known about the presence of those changes at the onset of the disease. Our aim is to compare the levels of interleukin (IL) IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and transforming growth factor -β2 (TGF-β2) between drug-naïve-first episode patients with psychosis and healthy controls matched for age, sex, BMI and smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine drug-naïve-first episode patients with psychosis and 39 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β2 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the drug-naïve patients with psychosis group (p<0.022 and p<0.002 respectively) compared to healthy controls. No differences were found between the two groups in the levels of IL-10, IL-17. The levels of TGF-β2 did not differ significantly between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 are increased in first episode drug-naïve patients with psychosis compared to healthy controls. An inflammatory response mediated by IL-2 and IL-6 may play a role in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Medical School, University of Ioannina (UOI), P.O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: ppetrikis@hotmail.gr.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrikis
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina (UOI), P.O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Voulgari
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Engineering, School of Applied Technology, Technological Educational Institute of Epirus (TEIEP), 47100, Arta, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandros T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tzallas
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina (UOI), P.O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitra T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Archimandriti
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Medical School, University of Ioannina (UOI), P.O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skapinakis
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Medical School, University of Ioannina (UOI), P.O. Box 1186, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Venetsanos
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mavreas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6
keywords: Cytokines; Drug-naïve patients with psychosis