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Published on: March 1, 2011
Assessment of serum inflammatory cytokines in first-episode psychosis: Cross-sectional study
Noxolo Qwabe1, Saeeda Paruk1, Andrew Tomita2,3
1Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Summary
This study found that current alcohol use is associated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, -8, and -10, in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP). These findings suggest immunological dysfunction in early schizophrenia, particularly linked to substance use.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Psychiatry
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation is linked to schizophrenia pathophysiology, especially in early stages.
- Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10, are implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) and first-episode psychosis (FEP).
Main Methods:
- Observational, cross-sectional sub-analysis of a longitudinal cohort study.
- Included 58 treatment-naïve, HIV-negative individuals (18-45 years) with less than 6 weeks of antipsychotic exposure.
- Measured socio-demographics, BMI, psychiatric diagnosis, psychosis severity, depressive symptoms, substance use, childhood trauma, and serum cytokines via Multiplex ELISA.
Main Results:
- Current alcohol use showed statistically significant higher expression of IL-6 (p=0.04), IL-8 (p=0.01), and IL-10 (p=0.03).
- Lifetime alcohol and tobacco use were significantly associated with elevated IL-10 (p=0.00 and p=0.04, respectively).
- No significant association found between psychosis severity (PANSS), depression (PHQ-9), childhood trauma (CTQ), BMI, or cannabis use and interleukins.
Conclusions:
- Provides evidence of immunological dysfunction at baseline in treatment-naïve individuals with FEP.
- Highlights the role of substance use, particularly alcohol, in inflammatory cytokine profiles in early psychosis.
- Contributes novel data on inflammatory cytokine profiles in FEP within a South African context, an under-represented population in psychoneuroimmunology research.
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