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Elevated Serum Levels of Lactoferrin and Eosinophil Cationic Protein in Schizophrenic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. Hällgren ,
P. Venge  and
B. Wistedt
R. Hällgren
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
P. Venge
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala
B. Wistedt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Huddinge Hospital, Huddinge
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Summary

The serum levels of lactoferrin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), lysozyme and β2-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 <0.001) higher in the patient group as compared to healthy controls in contrast to blood cell counts and serum-lysozyme and serum-β2-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.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 140 , Issue 1 , January 1982 , pp. 55 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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