Antipsychotic treatment reduces psychotic symptoms and markers of low-grade inflammation in first episode psychosis patients, but increases their body mass index.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The main goal of the present study was to analyze levels of cytokines of the interleukin family (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial and endothelial growth factors (VEGF and EGF), in the blood samples of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients before and seven months after the start of antipsychotic medication use.

METHOD:

38 anti-psychotic medication-naïve FEP patients and 37 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Biochip array technology was used to measure cytokines and growth factors.

RESULTS:

The comparison of these markers in FEP patients and HC revealed significantly higher levels of EGF, IL-4 and IL-6 and significantly lower level of IL-1β in FEP patients before the antipsychotic treatment. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations between FEP and EGF, IL-1β and smoking. Treatment with antipsychotic drugs resulted in a statistically significant amelioration of the symptoms of psychosis, but caused a significant increase in the body mass index (BMI) of patients. Levels of EGF, IL-2, VEGF, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-8 and IL-1α were significantly lower in treated FEP patients compared to premedication levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

According to the present study, EGF and IL-1β are markers of FEP. Antipsychotic drug treatment resulted in a significant clinical improvement of FEP patients and the suppression of positive symptoms was correlated with the decreased levels of EGF, IL-2 and IL-4. EGF was the strongest marker of FEP and treatment efficiency among the measured cytokines and growth factors.

• Authors: Liina Haring, Kati Koido, Veiko Vasar, Vambola Leping, Kersti Zilmer, Mihkel Zilmer, Eero Vasar
• Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res) Vol. 169 Issue 1-3 Pg. 22-29 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1573-2509 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26364730 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Biomarkers
• Cytokines

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Blood Chemical Analysis
• Body Mass Index
• Cytokines (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Protein Array Analysis
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Psychotic Disorders (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Regression Analysis
• Smoking (physiopathology)
• Tobacco Use Disorder (complications, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult