title: Elevated serum levels of lactoferrin and eosinophil cationic protein in schizophrenic patients.
abstract: The serum levels of lactoferrin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), lysozyme and beta 2-microglobulin have been measured in schizophrenic patients in an attempt to elucidate the activity and turnover of neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes, macrophages/monocytes and lymphocytes, respectively. Serum-lactoferrin and serum-ECP levels were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in the patient group as compared to healthy controls in contrast to blood cell counts and serum-lysozyme and serum- beta 2-microglobulin levels which all were within normal limits. The results were not affected by anti-psychotic therapy. A significant correlation was found between serum-ECP and serum-lactoferrin levels which may suggest a common underlying cause of the elevated levels. The findings suggest an increased eosinophil and neutrophil activity and/or turnover in schizophrenia and may have a bearing on the well-known altered inflammatory response associated with this syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000097:blood*; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D007782:Lactoglobulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D012260:Ribonucleases; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin