title: The role of tumour necrosis factor alpha and soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha receptors in the symptomatology of schizophrenia.
abstract: Background Immunological mechanisms may be responsible for the development and maintenance of schizophrenia symptoms. Aim The aim of this study is to measure tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), soluble tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor I (sTNF-αRI), and soluble tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor II (sTNF-αRII) levels in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, and to determine their relationship with the symptoms of schizophrenia. Methods Serum TNF-α, sTNF-αRI and sTNF-αRII levels were measured. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was administered for patients with schizophrenia (n = 35), and the results were compared with healthy controls (n = 30). Hierarchical regression analyses were undertaken to predict the levels of TNF-α, sTNF-αRI and sTNF-αRII. Results No significant difference was observed in TNF-α levels, but sTNF-αRI and sTNF-αRII levels were lower in patients with schizophrenia. Serum sTNF-αRI and sTNF-αRII levels were found to be negatively correlated with the negative subscale score of the PANSS, and sTNF-αRI levels were also negatively correlated with the total score of the PANSS. Smoking, gender, body mass index were not correlated with TNF-α and sTNF-α receptor levels. Conclusions These results suggest that there may be a change in anti-inflammatory response in patients with schizophrenia due to sTNF-αRI and sTNF-αRII levels. The study also supports low levels of TNF activity in schizophrenia patients with negative symptoms.
authors.affiliation: a Kartal Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic , Istanbul , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turhan
authors.affiliation: b School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry , Gaziosmanpasa University , Tokat , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batmaz
authors.affiliation: c Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic , Ankara , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kocbiyik
authors.affiliation: d Private Practice , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Arif Haldun
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Soygur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000097:blood*; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; C439524:TNF protein, human; C506235:TNFRSF1A protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Immune system; schizophrenia; soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha receptor I; soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha receptor II; tumour necrosis factor alpha