title: Hla, and the response to treatment with gamma-type endorphins in schizophrenia.
abstract: In order to investigate whether genetic factors are involved in the response of schizophrenic patients to treatment with gamma-type endorphins, we typed 32 Dutch schizophrenic patients for the HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR antigens. The total patient group showed an increase of HLA-Bw4 and HLA-Cw1. A subgroup of 20 paranoid patients showed an increase of HLA-Cw1 and a significant heterogeneity for the HLA-C locus. In 16 patients who responded moderately or markedly to treatment with gamma-type endorphins, an increase of HLA-B15/Cw3 and a decrease of HLA-B17 were found as compared to 16 patients with no or a slight response. Moreover, HLA-B15 was particularly increased in those patients who responded markedly and remained free of psychotic symptoms for a period of at least 6 months after treatment with gamma-type endorphins (RR = 24.6, Puncorr. = 0.0015). Our results suggest that genetic factors coded for within the HLA region are associated with paranoid schizophrenia, and that HLA-B15/Cw3 is associated with a marked and prolonged response to treatment with gamma-type endorphins.
mesh_terms: D004723:Endorphins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D059910:HLA-B15 Antigen; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018823:gamma-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D059910:HLA-B15 Antigen; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D018823:gamma-Endorphin; C018903:gamma-endorphin, des-Tyr(1)-; C033558:des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin