Both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients have specific significant increases in endothelium-related inflammatory markers in comparison with healthy individuals, Norwegian scientists have discovered.

It has been demonstrated that schizophrenia patients and those with major depression have alterations in the inflammatory system. Bipolar disorder has, however, been less studied and, overall, the findings have been inconsistent in terms of the underlying mechanisms.

Sigrun Hope, from the University of Oslo, and colleagues therefore measured plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-6, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble CD40L ligand (sCD40L), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels in 125 bipolar disorder patients, 186 schizophrenia patients, and 244 healthy controls.

The findings, published in the journal Bipolar Disorders, indicate the combined patient groups had significantly higher plasma levels of sTNF-R1 and vWF compared with healthy controls, at increases of 17% and 27%, respectively. While hs-CRP levels were significantly increased in patients versus controls, at an average of 0.95 ng/ml versus 0.80 ng/ml, there were no significant differences for the other inflammatory markers.

The team also found that unmedicated bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients had significantly increased levels of sTNF-R1 and vWF compared with controls, at1.09 versus 0.91 ng/ml and 101 versus 77%, respectively. There were no significant differences between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients, regardless of medication status.

The findings were unaffected by controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, liver function, kidney function, cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, and alcohol intake, as well as for hs-CRP levels.

“The main result of the present study is a significant increase in sTNF-RI and vWf in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, present also after controlling for confounders,” the researchers write.

“These findings may indicate an association between severe mental illness and abnormal endothelial-related inflammation.”

MedWire (www.medwire-news.md) is an independent clinical news service provided by Current Medicine Group, a trading division of Springer Healthcare Limited. © Springer Healthcare Ltd; 2009

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