126. Phosphorylation status of ERK1/2, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor Kappa B-p65 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of bipolar disorder patients

Abstract

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric disorder of unknown physiopathology that has been associated with a proinflammatory state. The aim of the present study was to compare the phosphorylation levels of the signaling proteins involved with induction of proinflammatory mediators, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and the transcription factor nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-kappa B), in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of euthymic BD patients and control subjects. Methods: 15 BD euthymic type I patients, and 16 healthy controls matched by age and gender were enrolled in this study. All subjects were assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatry Interview and the patients by the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and p38-MAPK were assessed by Western blot and flow cytometry. The expression of NF-kappa B p65/RelA was estimated by the mean fluorescence intensity evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: Western blot analysis showed increased phosphorylation levels of p38-MAPK ( p p = 0.003) in BD patients when compared to controls. BD patients showed increased expression of NF-kappa B p65/RelA, as estimated by the mean fluorescence intensity ( p = 0.01). Conclusion: The present study found altered activation of MAPK and NF-kappa B pathway BD patients which is in line with the illness proinflammatory status.