Smoking and Serum Lipid Profiles in Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is associated with a high prevalence of cigarette-smoking and abnormal lipid profiles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the profiles differ between schizophrenic smokers and non-smokers and whether the lipid profiles are related to psychopathological symptoms. Serum lipid profiles were measured in 130 male inpatients with DSM-IV-defined schizophrenia: 104 smokers and 26 non-smokers. Symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Our results showed that positive PANSS symptoms were fewer in smokers than in non-smokers, while the negative symptoms were fewer in those who smoked more cigarettes. Total protein and globulin levels were significantly lower in the smokers than in the non-smokers. However, there was no significant difference in total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, or apolipoprotein B between the smokers and non-smokers. However, the PANSS positive subscale had a significant negative correlation with the HDL-c levels (a protective factor) in the smokers but not in the non-smokers. Our findings suggest that schizophrenic patients who smoke have fewer psychotic symptoms, but contrary to expectation, smoking does not alter lipid profile levels.

Altered IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 serum levels in schizophrenia patients with tardive dyskinesia.

Immune deregulation has been postulated to be one of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tardive dyskinesia (TD). We hypothesized that interleukins would have a link with TD in schizophrenia patients. In this study, the serum IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in schizophrenia patients with TD (n=48) and without TD (n=45), and healthy controls (n=44). The psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The severity of TD was evaluated using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). The results showed that serum IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly different among schizophrenia patients with TD and without TD and normal controls. Moreover, IL-2 level was significantly correlated with PANSS positive subscale and general subscale in patients with TD and without TD. In addition, IL-2 level was positively correlated with AIMS score in TD patients. The results supported that immune disturbance is related to the schizophrenia patients, especially to the patients with TD and ILs might play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia patients with TD.