Neutrophils to Lymphocytes Ratio and Some Cytokines in Patients with Schizophrenia in Southeast, Nigeria

Schizophrenia is likely to be associated with immunological abnormalities. The aim of the study is to investigate the changes in NLR and some cytokines of patients with schizophrenia in Southeast, Nigeria. A total number 100 subjects were recruited for the study comprising 50 for the patients with Schizophrenia and 50 apparently healthy subjects both aged 25 – 60 years. Blood was collected from each subject and levels of cytokines were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay WBC (x109/L), Neutrophils and Lymphocyte were measured using manual counting method. Interleukin - 6, TNF-α, WBC and Neutrophil values were significantly higher in Schizophrenic subjects than control subjects (p=0.00, 0.00, 0.00, and 0.001) respectively. Lymphocyte value was lower than control subjects (p<0.05). NLR was higher in patients with Schizophrenia than the control. In conclusion, there were significantly higher values in IL-6, WBC and Neutrophil levels of schizophrenic subjects when compared apparently healthy subjects.