IL-33/ST2 Pathway and Galectin-3 as a New Analytes in Pathogenesis and Cardiometabolic Risk Evaluation in Psychosis

Abstract

Schizophrenia and treatment of this disorder are often accompanied with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular issues. Alterations in the serum level of innate immune mediators, such as interleukin-33 (IL-33) and its receptor IL-33R (ST2) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) were observed in these conditions. Moreover, these parameters are potential prognostic and therapeutic markers. There is also accumulating evidence that these molecules play a role in neuroinflammation. Therefore, in this study we have investigated the serum level of Gal-3, IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) in different stages of schizophrenia. Gal-3 levels were elevated in remission and lower in schizophrenia exacerbation in comparison with controls. Levels of IL-33 and sST2 are higher in schizophrenia exacerbation in comparison with controls and patients in remission. This initial analysis of new markers of neuroinflammation suggested their involvement in schizophrenia pathophysiology and/or cardiometabolic comorbidity.

Serum Galectin-3 Levels in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…To date, galectin-3 has been examined as a marker for only a few psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and ADHD. [20][21][22][23] Schizophrenia and galectin-3 levels has been recently investigated. Kajitani et al, 20 noted that the galectin-3 serum levels were increased in chronic schizophrenia and were positively correlated with both the brief psychiatry rating scale (BPRS) positive symptom score and activation score and negatively correlated with the BPRS negative symptom score.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] One of the two studies examined serum galectin-3 concentrations. 20,21 In one of these studies, Kajitani et al, 20 detected increased serum galectin-3 concentration in patients with schizophrenia. In another study, Borovcanin et al, 21 reported that the concentrations of galectin-3 were elevated in remission and lower in exacerbation of schizophrenia compared to controls.…”

“…20,21 In one of these studies, Kajitani et al, 20 detected increased serum galectin-3 concentration in patients with schizophrenia. In another study, Borovcanin et al, 21 reported that the concentrations of galectin-3 were elevated in remission and lower in exacerbation of schizophrenia compared to controls. To the best of our knowledge, there are only two studies in ADHD that examine galectin-3 concentrations.…”

Serum galectin-3 levels are decreased in schizophrenia

“…Borovcanin et al showed that serum concentrations of gal-3 were significantly lower in first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia in relapse than in healthy controls. 20 They also found higher gal-3 levels in schizophrenia in remission. The authors suggested that gal-3 may mediate the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia onset, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular changes in these patients.…”

“…12 Studies have shown that gal-3 contributes to certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson disease, 15 prion diseases, 16 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 17 In addition to these studies, gal-3 has also been researched in relation to psychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 18 schizophrenia 19,20 and anxiety. 21 To the best of our knowledge, very few studies have evaluated the connection between galectins and schizophrenia.…”