Monocyte/HDL Cholesterol Ratios as a New Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose: Monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker that is used as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been studied in many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory factors in schizophrenia patients by examining MHR levels and to compare schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in terms of cardiovascular disease risk. Method: A total of 135 participants between the ages of 18–65, 85 diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 50 healthy individuals in the control group were included in this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were taken from the participants and CBC parameters and lipid profiles were analyzed. The sociodemographic and clinical data form and positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) were administered to all participants. Results: Although monocyte levels were significantly higher in the patient group, HDL-C levels were lower at significant levels. MHR was found to be higher in the patient group compared to the control group at significant levels. When compared to the control group, total cholesterol, triglyceride, WBC, neutrophil, basophil, and platelet levels were higher in the patient group at significant levels, and RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower. Conclusion: The elevated MHR in patients with schizophrenia may contribute to our understanding that inflammation plays important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Additionally, knowing the levels of MHR and considering the recommendations, such as diet and exercise, in the treatment approaches made us think that it might be beneficial in protecting schizophrenia patients against cardiovascular diseases and early death.

Metabolic accompaniment of plasma lipoproteins profile in persons with maladaptation

“…Another constellation of the root factor structure consists of three parameters of lipid peroxidation, with opposite signs. This situation is consistent with the current view of atherosclerosis as chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress [9,14,21,25]. The presence of glycemia in the structure of the root as a component of the metabolic syndrome is quite understandable as well as AlT and γ-GTP as markers of cytolysis, which in turn is a consequence of oxidative stress.…”

Microglia and Other Cellular Mediators of Immunological Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Narrative Synthesis of Clinical Findings

“…Furthermore, while elevated MLR may represent a shared pathological hallmark of SCZ and BD compared to HCs, some discrepancies remain, possibly related to methodological variations and differing patient inclusion criteria [70,71]. Similar relationships were observed between monocyte counts and other metabolic markers, such as the cardioprotective HDL (monocyte to HDL ratio, MHR), hinting at a possible involvement of these cells with the onset of cardiometabolic comorbidities in SCZ and BD [72][73][74][75]. These observations of alterations in various monocyte features represent a significant breakthrough in SCZ research.…”

“…Monocytes Increased total monocyte counts [62][63][64] Increased classical monocyte counts [66] Increased pro-inflammatory monocyte counts [67] Increased monocyte to lymphocyte ratio [68] Increased monocyte to HDL ratio [72,73] Increased TREM1/2 [79,80] Increased ATF3/EGR3 [78] Increased HLA-DR [82] Increased phagocytosis [81] Increased IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α [83,85,86] Increased CD36 [93] Increased reactive oxygen species [92] Alterations in TLR4 signaling [84,87,88] Unique interferon gene signature [77] Reduced GLUT1 [89] Granulocytes Increased neutrophil counts [68,94-99] Increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio [100,101] Increased oxidative stress [108] Increased malonaldehyde [122] Increased superoxide anion [123,123] Increased phagocytosis [81,124] Natural killer cells Increased total counts [68] Decreased total counts [125][126][127] No change in total counts [128] Increased cytotoxicity [132] Decreased cytotoxicity [129,130] No change in cytotoxicity [121] Increased NKG2C [133] Increased S100B [134] Table 1. Cont.…”

Investigation of the Monocyte to High Density Lipoprotein Ratio as an Inflammatory Marker in Schizophrenia

“…The authors concluded that recommendations such as diet and exercise, in the treatment approaches might be beneficial in protecting schizophrenia patients against cardiovascular diseases and early death. 24…”