Exorphins in urine from schizoaffective psychotics

Abstract

Hyperpeptiduria and opioid excess have been re-ported in schizophrenia. According to Prof. Dr. L. Lindström, Sweden opioids may explain the patho-physiology of this syndrome. Therefore it is critical to elucidate the presence and nature of opioids in schi-zophrenia 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 frag-mentation 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 schizoaffec-tive patients.