Polymorphisms of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and clinical response to olanzapine in paranoid schizophrenia.

Background: 5-HT2A receptor is strongly implicated in the mode of action of atypical antipsychotic drugs. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the 5-HT2A receptor gene's polymorphisms (His452Tyr and T102C) have an influence on the response to olanzapine in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: We studied 99 Caucasian schizophrenia patients treated with olanzapine.

Accelerated apoptosis of blood leukocytes and oxidative stress in blood of patients with major depression.

Acceleration of blood leukocyte apoptosis in major depression has been described. The present studies have been undertaken to estimate the level of apoptosis of blood leukocytes in patients with depression and to examine the mechanisms leading to apoptosis. Blood was taken from 29 patients with depression (age 48.

[Atypical antipsychotic-induced weight gain].

Introduction of a new group of antipsychotic drugs, called atypical because of the proprieties differing them from classical neuroleptics, gave hope for the beginning of a new era in treatment of psychoses, including schizophrenia. Different mechanisms of action not only resulted in a broader spectrum of action and high efficacy but also in a relative lack of extrapiramidal symptoms. However, atypical neuroleptics are not totally free from adverse effects.

The influence of carbamazepine on cytokine and superoxide anion production in blood leukocytes of healthy volunteers.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate whether carbamazepine (CBZ) may influence in vitro cytokine and superoxide anion (O2-) production by blood leukocytes of healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were induced in vitro with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of CBZ. Cytokine concentration in culture media was measured by ELISA method.

[The level of anxiety and depression in the opinion of patients hospitalized due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Aim: The aim of the research was the subjective estimation of an average state of health and intensification of anxiety and depression of people hospitalised from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Method: 80 people took part in the research. The average age was M=62.

Neuroleptics modulate cytokine and reactive oxygen species production in blood leukocytes of healthy volunteers.

Introduction: There have been several reports indicating that schizophrenia is related to the activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS), characterized by increased serum concentrations of several cytokines, and that antipsychotic drugs may have immunosuppressive or immunoregulatory effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of neuroleptics on cytokine and reactive oxygen species production in vitro, in blood leukocytes.

Materials And Methods: We studied the effect of haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine on the unstimulated and stimulated (phytohemagglutinin+lipopolysaccharide--PHA+LPS) production of some cytokines which are known to be mainly products of T lymphocytes and monocytes (IL-2, lymphotoxin, IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy subjects.

[The role of cytokines in depression].

Clinical and experimental studies on animals indicate that depression is associated with increased plasma cytokine acute phase protein concentrations and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activation. Additionally it has been detected that immunological activation induces stress-like behavioural and neurochemical changes in organisms of animals and humans. Hypersecretion of cytokines in response to stress or to endogenous trigger factors may induce depressive symptoms.

In vitro immunoregulatory effects of antidepressants in healthy volunteers.

Major depression is accompanied by an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS) and antidepressants may have immunoregulatory activities. This study was carried out to compare the effect of imipramine, mianserin and lithium on the in vitro production of Th1-like cytokines, such as IL-2, IFN-gamma, lymphotoxin and Th2-like cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10 as well as IL-12 and TGF-beta. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 16 healthy volunteers were stimulated with polyclonal activators (phytohemagglutinin with lipopolysaccharide PHA + LPS) with or without incubation with imipramine, mianserin (1 microM) or lithium (1 mM).

Changes in serum concentrations and in cytokine production by blood cell cultures of a patient with major depression--case report.

The aim of the paper was to compare the periodical changes in serum cytokine levels and in cytokine production in short-term blood lymphocyte cultures of two persons: the patient with major depression and healthy control. In sera of both persons such cytokines as IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma and IL-6 were detected, but IL-6 level in serum of depressed patient was higher than that observed in healthy control. In both persons examined serum cytokine level changed periodically during 9 days of observation showing rhythmic waves.

Serum cytokine level and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by blood neutrophils from a schizophrenic patient with hypersensitivity to neuroleptics.

Background: There have been few publications concerning the role of the immune system in neuroleptic intolerance. Some studies have shown that in neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) increases significantly, which is thought to trigger the onset of DIC.

Case Report: A 23-year-old woman suffering from catatonic schizophrenia developed hypersensitivity to neuroleptics.

[The treatment of schizophrenia--improper choices, adverse events. Preliminary report].

Files of 68 patients with paranoid schizophrenia treated first time in Department of Psychiatry Medical University of Lublin and in Psychoneurological Hospital of Lublin were analyzed. The aim of this study was evaluation of treatment according to the standards. In the most cases treatment was in consent with standards regarding choice of neuroleptic, period of time of treatment and its effectiveness.