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. 2016 Apr 15:12:863-8.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S101647. eCollection 2016.

Comparison of beta-endorphin and CGRP levels before and after treatment for severe schizophrenia

Małgorzata Urban-Kowalczyk  1 , Janusz Śmigielski  2 , Dominik Strzelecki  1
Affiliations

Comparison of beta-endorphin and CGRP levels before and after treatment for severe schizophrenia

Małgorzata Urban-Kowalczyk et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. .

Abstract

Objectives: Links between endorphins and dopaminergic transmission have not been fully explored in schizophrenia. Both endorphins excess and deficiency were postulated. CGRP is probably involved in dopaminergic transmission. The aim of this study was the evaluation of beta-endorphin (BE) and CGRP blood concentrations before and after treatment of severe schizophrenia.

Methods: Seventy patients treated with various antipsychotics, with severe symptoms of schizophrenia (51 with positive symptoms, 19 with negative symptoms), 15 first-degree relatives, and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. BE and CGRP blood concentrations were measured during patients severe schizophrenia and in their stable mental state after treatment. The results were compared with relatives and controls.

Results: BE and CGRP concentrations in patients with negative symptoms were higher than in relatives and in controls. BE levels in patients with positive symptoms were lower than in patients with negative symptoms (P<0.0000) and controls (P<0.0006). No significant changes in CGRP concentration were found in patient samples. CGRP levels in these samples were independent of treatment, but they were significantly higher than in relatives and controls. After the treatment, BE level decreased in patients with negative symptoms (P<0.0001) and increased in patients with positive symptoms (P<0.0000). No differences in BE concentration between patients in stable mental state, their relatives, and controls were found.

Conclusion: Effective antipsychotic treatment results in "normalization" of BE level. Specific changes in BE concentration could be involved in dopaminergic transmission and related to some symptoms of schizophrenia.

Keywords: CGRP; negative symptoms; neuroleptics; schizophrenia; β-endorphin.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of beta-endorphin concentrations in patients with positive symptoms (PP), and patients with negative symptoms (PN) before treatment (β-end1) and in stable mental state after treatment (β-end2) with controls (C, β-end-C) and first-degree relatives (R, β-end-R).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of CGRP concentrations in patients with positive symptoms (PP), and patients with negative symptoms (PN) before treatment (CGRP1) and in stable mental state after treatment (CGRP2) with controls (C, CGRP-C) and first-degree relatives (R, CGRP-R). Abbreviation: CGRP, calcitonin gene-related peptide.
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