Author(s)

Dag Tveiten, Karl L. Reichelt

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

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.

Exorphins; Schizoaffective; Peptide; Mass-Spectrometry

Tveiten, D. and Reichelt, K. (2012) Exorphins in urine from schizoaffective psychotics. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 2, 220-227. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2012.23029.