Cytokines, cortisol and IGF-1 in first episode psychosis and ultra high risk males. Evidence for TNF-α, IFN-γ, ΤNF-β, IL-4 deviation

Asian J Psychiatr. 2017 Apr:26:99-103. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2017.01.026. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine circulating cytokines, cortisol and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1, known for their involvement in inflammation, in male patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) and subjects at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for Psychosis. The FEP group presented increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, ΤNF-β) as well as increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4) compared with Healthy Controls (HC). The UHR group showed increased IL-4 against HC. In contrast, none of the groups did show deviation from normality in either cortisol or IGF-1 levels. These preliminary findings support the cytokines' role in the inflammatory hypothesis in psychosis.

Keywords: Cortisol; Cytokines; First episode psychosis; IGF-1; Ultra high risk.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis*
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / blood
  • Male
  • Psychotic Disorders / blood*
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-4
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Hydrocortisone