Research On Correlations Of Changes Of Cytokines Serum Concentrations And Clinical Symptoms In First Episode Schizophrenia

Objectives To explore correlations of nerve gowth factor(NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), interleukin-2(IL-2), calcium binding protein S100β(S100β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in first episode schizophrenia. Methods Double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to quantitate human serum NGF, BDNF, TGF-β, IL-2, S100βand TNF-αof subjects of the patient group (30) and control group (28), and the clinical state of the patients was evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale(PANSS). Results There are no statistical differences in age, gender or years of education in two groups. Mean concentrations of NGF, BDNF, TGF-β, IL-2, S100βand TNF-αin schizophrenic group are 53.92(±11.52)pg/ml,1904.73(±375.02) pg/ml,26101.57±(16825.72) pg/ml,72.78±(52.31)pg/ml,1570.14±(342.73) pg/ml and 1284.42±377.52 pg/ml. S100βserum levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in healthy subjects(P＜0.05). NGF, IL-2 and TNF-aserum levels were significantly lower in the patient group than in healthy subjects(P＜0.05). No significant differences were found in BDNF and TGF-Pserum concentrations between the two groups(P＜0.05). In patient group, Positive correlations were found between NGF and BDNF serum concentrations(r=0.469, P=0.016), NGF and IL-2 serum concentrations(r=0.570, P=0.002), however no significantly correlation was found among other cytokines(P＞0.05). Significantly negative correlations were found between NGF serum levels and PANSS-negtive scores in first episode schizophrenic patients(r=-0.482, P=0.009), TGF-βand PANSS-general psychopathology Scale scores(r=-0.430, P=0.022), however, no other cytokines were found relatied with PANSS scores(P＞0.05)。 Conclusions 1) S100βserum levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in healthy subjects and NGF, IL-2 and TNF-aserum levels were significantly lower in the patient group than in healthy subjects, which suggested level of serum S100βmay make nerve toxic, and low level of serum NGF,IL-2 and TNF-αmay result in brain nerve denutrition and immunodeficiency. Further more,these changes may lead to brain functional defect of information transfer, leading to schizophrenia.2) NGF serum levels and TGF-βserum levels were respectively correlated with PANSS-negtive scores and PANSS-general psychopathology Scale scores, which suggested the degree of changes of NGF and TGF-βserum concentrations may related with the correspond with the severity of schizophrenia smptoms.3) In schizophrenic group, positive correlations were found between NGF and BDNF serum concentrations, NGF and IL-2 serum concentrations, which indicated NGF and BDNF, NGF and IL-2 may paly similar roles in etiology of schizophrenia.