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Decreased interleukin-2 production in Korean schizophrenic patients
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
It has been postulated that autoimmune process may play a role in the pathogenesis of symptoms in some schizophrenic patients. Findings of altered interleukin (IL) regulation have been regarded as additional proof that schizophrenia has an autoimmunological background.
Methods:
Sixteen patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and who were drug free for at least six months and the same number of age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. The severity of symptoms in schizophrenia was assessed by BPRS. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated production and serum level of IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
There was a significant decrease of IL-2 production (p < .01) in schizophrenic patients and a significant increase of IL-2 serum level (p < .01). No significant difference of IL-1 beta and IL-6 was found. Some patients and controls had measurable serum level of IL-1 beta and IL-6. No significant correlation between production and serum level of IL-1 beta, -2, -6 and age, duration of illness, and BPRS score in schizophrenics was found.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to describe a decrease of IL-2 production and increase of IL-2 serum level in non-Caucasian schizophrenic patients. These findings are further evidence that autoimmune process is present, regardless of ethnic origin, in some schizophrenic patients.