Increased concentration of alpha- and gamma-endorphin in post mortem hypothalamic tissue of schizophrenic patients.
The concentrations of alpha-, beta- and gamma-endorphin were determined by radioimmunoassay in HPLC fractionated extracts of post mortem hypothalamic tissue obtained from schizophrenic patients and controls. The hypothalamic concentration of alpha- and gamma-endorphin was significantly higher in patients than in controls (+72.9% and +50.5% respectively). No difference was found in the concentration of beta-endorphin, the putative precursor of alpha- and gamma-endorphins. These results suggest a deviant metabolism of beta-endorphin in the brain of schizophrenic patients. Whether this phenomenon is related to the psychopathology, or is a consequence of ante mortem farmacotherapy, remains to be established.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism*; D018822:alpha-Endorphin; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018823:gamma-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018822:alpha-Endorphin; D018823:gamma-Endorphin