title: Angiotensin converting enzyme activity is positively associated with IL-17a levels in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: Previous studies of our group showed increased plasmatic Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients compared to healthy controls, which was also associated to poor cognitive functioning. The ACE main product angiotensin II (Ang-II) has pro-inflammatory properties. Activated immune-inflammatory responses in SCZ and their association with disease progression and cognitive impairments are also well-described. Therefore, we examined here the association of plasma ACE activity and inflammatory mediators in 33 SCZ patients and 92 healthy controls. Non-parametric correlations were used to investigate the association of the enzyme activity and the peripheral levels of immune inflammatory markers as interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interferon (IFN-γ). Although no significant correlations could be observed for ACE activity and measured cytokines levels in healthy controls, a significant positive correlation for ACE enzymatic activity and IL-17a levels was observed in SCZ patients. Correcting for gender did not change these results. Moreover, a significant association for ACE activity and IFN-γ levels was also observed. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a significant association between higher ACE activity and the levels of cytokines, namely IL-17a and IFN-γ, in patients with SCZ.
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (ProEsq), Department of Psychiatry, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: aryararipe@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Ary
authors: A
authors: Gadelha
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Camila M
authors: CM
authors: Yonamine
authors: Department of Pharmacology, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Marcela
authors: M
authors: Nering
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Lucas Bortolotto
authors: LB
authors: Rizzo
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (ProEsq), Department of Psychiatry, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Cristiano
authors: C
authors: Noto
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Cogo-Moreira
authors: Translational Psychoneuroimmunology Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors: Antônio Lúcio
authors: AL
authors: Teixeira
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Schizophrenia Program (ProEsq), Department of Psychiatry, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Rodrigo
authors: R
authors: Bressan
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; IMPACT Research Center, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Maes
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Brietzke
authors: Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: mhayashi@unifesp.br.
authors: Mirian A F
authors: MA
authors: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
keywords: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE); Biomarker; Cytokine; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Interleukin-17 (IL-17); Schizophrenia