Elevated serum levels of lactoferrin and eosinophil cationic protein in schizophrenic patients.

The serum levels of lactoferrin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), lysozyme and beta 2-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 less than 0.001) higher in the patient group as compared to healthy controls in contrast to blood cell counts and serum-lysozyme and serum- beta 2-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.