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. Conclusion 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.