1.Immune Mechanism: A ‘Double-Edged Sword’
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2013;20(3):61-67
Immunology has now developed into an independent discipline in medicine which covers not only germ infection which is related to immunity solely but also covers a lot of non-infectious diseases such as autoimmune disease, allergies, and others. Therefore, “The Immune Mechanism: “a double-edged sword” means that the immune mechanism (consisted of antibody mediated mechanism and T cell mediated mechanism), just like one edge playing the role of giving benefit (immunity) as it destroys the agent of infection, and another one can be detrimental as it will cause tissue/cell damages and then give rise to immune diseases (immunopathology). Now, the prevalence of these immune diseases is on the rise and has become a new challenge to our country towards developed country in 2020. Therefore, we have to make ample preparation (laboratory facilities/services, main power, and research) from now on in order to face the problems and challenges.
2.Elevated Monocyte to High-density Lipoprotein Ratios as an Inflammation Markers for Schizophrenia Patients
Musa SAHPOLAT ; Duygu AYAR ; Mustafa ARI ; Mehmet Akif KARAMAN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2021;19(1):112-116
Objective:
Monocyte to high density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a new instrument for giving notice inflammation, which plays a main role in schizophrenia. Thus, in this study, our goal was to investigate the possible association between MHR and schizophrenia.
Methods:
The participants of this study consisted of 75 schizophrenia patients and 74 healthy individuals (control group).The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to collect data from the patient group. Complete blood count parameters and lipid profile were analyzed in all study participants.
Results:
The patients with schizophrenia had higher MHR values (15.04 ± 3.31 in schizophrenia patients and 12.62 ± 2.99 in controls; p = 0.001). Monocyte counts and MHR of the schizophrenia patients were significantly higher than the control group. There was a significant and positive correlation between age, body mass index, severity of disease and MHR.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this study was the first to demonstrate inflammatory markers such as MHR levels in schizophrenia patients. Both monocyte counts and MHR values in schizophrenia patients were higher than the control group. MHR might be an available and useful inflammatory marker to evaluate inflammation in schizophrenia patients.
3.Plasma Apelin, Visfatin and Resistin Levels in Patients with First Episode Psychosis and Chronic Schizophrenia
Musa SAHPOLAT ; Mustafa ARI ; Mehmet Hanifi KOKACYA
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2020;18(1):109-115
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between plasma concentrations of apelin, visfatin and resistin levels of first episode psychosis patients and chronic schizophrenia patients.
Methods:
A total number of 29 untreated patients with first episode psychosis, 30 chronic schizophrenia and 29 randomly selected weight- and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers were included. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale were applied to the patient groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure plasma apelin, visfatin and resistin levels.
Results:
There was no difference in age, marital status, occupation, and BMI between the groups. Plasma apelin levels were significantly higher in first episode psychosis group than chronic schizophrenia and control group. There was no statistically significant difference in plasma visfatin levels between the groups: first episode psychosis group, chronic schizophrenia and control group. Plasma resistin levels were higher in both first episode psychosis group and chronic schizophrenia group than the control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between plasma apelin and resistin levels and total PANSS scores in the group of patients.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this study is the first which investigates the plasma apelin, visfatin and resistin levels in patients with first episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia. Based on the results of this study, apelin and resistin may be related with some central nervous system pathologies, including the severity of a psychiatric disorder.