Exorphins in urine from schizoaffective psychotics

Dag Tveiten, Karl L. Reichelt

Biomedical Laboratory, Sandvika, Norway.
Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpsych.2012.23029                

Abstract

Hyperpeptiduria and opioid excess have been reported in schizophrenia. According to Prof. Dr. L. Lindstrom, Sweden opioids may explain the patho-physiology of this syndrome. Therefore it is critical to elucidate the presence and nature of opioids in schizophrenia and diagnostic sub groups. First morning urine from untreated schizoaffective patients (ICD-10: F 25.1) was separated on HPLC and peaks that elute where different opioid standards appear, freeze dried, re-dissolved in methanol/water (50/50) and 10mM formic acid. Mass spectrometry and MS/MS or fragmentation mass spectrometry was performed. We found fragmentation pattern of beta-casomorphin 1-3 and 1-4 (bovine) identical to synthetic standards from Bachem. The aggregation tendency of peptides was much in evidence. The reported exorphins were found in the urine from 8 of 12 untreated schizoaffective patients.

Keywords

Exorphins; Schizoaffective; Peptide; Mass-Spectrometry

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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