Changes in the cytokine profile in first-episode, drug-naïve patients with psychosis after short-term antipsychotic treatment

An increasing body of evidence suggests that antipsychotic medication can cause immunological changes that could be attributed to the amelioration of psychotic symptoms or the metabolic side effects of the drugs. So far, the results of the studies remain controversial. Our aim was to compare the levels of interleukin (IL) IL-2, IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) in drug-naïve, first-episode patients with psychosis before and after six weeks of antipsychotic medication. Thirty-nine first-episode patients with psychosis were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of IL-2, IL-6 and TGF-β2 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and six weeks after the initiation of antipsychotics. In addition, clinical psychopathology was assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) before and after treatment. Serum levels of IL-2 were significantly increased six weeks after the initiation of antipsychotic treatment (p < 0.001) while TGF-β2 levels were decreased (p < 0.001). IL-6 levels were overall increased (p < 0.004), but this occurred in a non-linear way. These findings, although preliminary, provide further evidence that antipsychotic treatment in patients with psychosis may be correlated with immunological changes but further research is needed.