Serum TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-2 in schizophrenic patients before and after treatment with risperidone and clozapine.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a disorder of the executive function of both sensory and central nervous system. Recent studies suggest that immune mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease. The variations in cytokine concentrations have been associated with psychopathology and treatment of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-2 in schizophrenic patients before and 40 days after treatment. METHODS: In a case-control study, 26 schizophrenic patients and 26 healthy individuals as a control group were enrolled. PANSS scale questionnaire was used for diagnosis and assessing the severity of the disease. All patients were then treated with risperidone or clozapine for 40 days. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-2 were measured by ELISA before and after treatment in both groups. Paired t-test and Independent t-test were used for comparison of data. RESULTS: Comparison of TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations in patients before and after treatment revealed a significance decrease of TNF-α and increase of IL-10 concentrations (p=0.002, and p=0.008, respectively). Serum concentrations of IL-2 were lower than the detection limit of assay and were not detectable. In comparison with healthy controls, serum concentrations of TNF-α in schizophrenic patients were higher, while IL-10 concentrations were lower before treatment although the differences were not significant (p=0.291 and p=0.375, respectively). There was no correlation between cytokine concentrations and the positive and negative scale (PANSS). Also no significant difference in the admission, relapses, and duration of illness before and after treatment was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Increase of TNF-α and decrease of IL-10 may have an important role in psychopathology of schizophrenia.

Obesity and related factors in 7-12 year-old elementary school students during 2009-2010 in Sari, Iran.

AIM: To define the prevalence of obesity and its related factors in 2-7 year-old elementary school students in Sari city (Mazandaran, Iran). METHODS: In this descriptive cross sectional study, which was conducted in the 2009-2010 period, the study population included 7-12 year-old first to fifth grade elementary school students in Sari. Sampling was multi-stage and stratified randomization at level of the target students. Student's height and weight were measured using stediometer and digital scales. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. A questionnaire about feeding habits and socio-economic status(SES) of families was used. Data collection was performed using phone interview with parents also the questionnaire's records. Analysis was done in SPSS16 using appropriate statistical tests, p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Of 653 students, 297 (45.5%) were male, 177 (27.4%) children were overweight (BMI>85%) and 78 (12% ) were obese (BMI> 95%). Higher prevalence of obesity in the children with good socio economic status was found (p=0.001). Significant relationship between usage of fast food and obesity, and between school grade and obesity (p= 0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of obesity in studied children was high, which suggests the need for serious attention in the health system, extensive studies, also designing and implementation of interventions with regard to childhood obesity.