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.
Keywords: Antipsychotic treatment; Cytokines; First-episode psychosis; Growth factors; Inflammation.
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