Angiotensin converting enzyme activity is positively associated with IL-17a levels in patients with schizophrenia

  • Ary Gadelha
  • , Camila M. Yonamine
  • , Marcela Nering
  • , Lucas Bortolotto Rizzo
  • , Cristiano Noto
  • , Hugo Cogo-Moreira
  • , Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
  • , Rodrigo Bressan
  • , Michael Maes
  • , Elisa Brietzke
  • , Mirian A.F. Hayashi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number9159
Pages (from-to)702-707
Number of pages6
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume229
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 30 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)
  • Biomarker
  • Cytokine
  • Inflammation
  • Inflammatory response
  • Interleukin-17 (IL-17)
  • Schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Angiotensin converting enzyme activity is positively associated with IL-17a levels in patients with schizophrenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this