Angiotensin converting enzyme activity is positively associated with IL-17a levels in patients with schizophrenia. Issue 3 (30th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gadelha, Ary; Yonamine, Camila M.; Nering, Marcela; Rizzo, Lucas Bortolotto; Noto, Cristiano; Cogo-Moreira, Hugo; Teixeira, Antônio Lúcio; Bressan, Rodrigo; Maes, Michael; Brietzke, Elisa; Hayashi, Mirian A.F.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 229:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 702
• Page End: 707
• Publication Date: 2015-10-30
• Subjects: RAS Renin–Angiotensin System -- ACE angiotensin-I converting enzyme -- SCZ schizophrenia -- Ang-I angiotensin-I -- Ang-II angiotensin-II -- ACEi ACE inhibitor -- ARB angiotensin receptor blocker -- FRET Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer -- MCP-1 monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 -- NF-kB Nuclear Factor Kappa-B -- IL interleukin -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- IFN interferon -- GWAS Genome-Wide Association studies -- PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale -- SCID Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV -- CGI Clinical Global Impression -- GAF Global Assessment of Functioning -- CBA cytometric bead array -- Treg antigen-specific regulatory T cells -- BMI body mass index; Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) -- Interleukin-17 (IL-17) -- Schizophrenia -- Inflammatory response -- Inflammation -- Cytokine -- Biomarker; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.08.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Previous studies of our group showed increased plasmatic Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients compared to healthy controls, which was also associated to poor cognitive functioning. The ACE main product angiotensin II (Ang-II) has pro-inflammatory properties. Activated immune-inflammatory responses in SCZ and their association with disease progression and cognitive impairments are also well-described. Therefore, we examined here the association of plasma ACE activity and inflammatory mediators in 33 SCZ patients and 92 healthy controls. Non-parametric correlations were used to investigate the association of the enzyme activity and the peripheral levels of immune inflammatory markers as interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interferon (IFN-γ). Although no significant correlations could be observed for ACE activity and measured cytokines levels in healthy controls, a significant positive correlation for ACE enzymatic activity and IL-17a levels was observed in SCZ patients. Correcting for gender did not change these results. Moreover, a significant association for ACE activity and IFN-γ levels was also observed. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show a significant association between higher ACE activity and the levels of cytokines, namely IL-17a and IFN-γ, in patients with SCZ. Highlights: ACE enzymatic levels are associated to inflammatory mediators in schizophrenia. No significant correlations were found for ACE activity and measured cytokines levels in healthy controls. A significant positive correlation for ACE enzymatic activity and IL-17a levels was observed in schizophrenia patients. Significant association for ACE activity and IFN-γ levels was also observed. Correcting for gender did not change these results.