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This is a forward from Kalle Reichelt:

1/3/95    9:19 AM
From:  Kalle Reichelt,[log in to unmask],Internet

The data on this are conflicting and have been studies using different
techniques.

1:  Wood NC et al (1987) Brit j psychiat 150:853-856 used the
cellobiose/mannitol test and found increased permeability in chronic
schizophrenics in 11 out of 32 patients.

2:  Lambert MT et al(1989)  Brit J psychiat 155,619-622.:used Chromium
labelled EDTA and found no difference in 12 schizophrenic patients , 12
patients in remission and normals.

3. We do however, all take up trace amounts of intact protein after a meal (
see eg.Husby S et al (1985)Scand J Immunol 22:83-92) so that a decreased
breakdown of fragments of these proteins could easily lead to accumulation.
One molecule of gluten contains 15 opioid sequences (Fukudome and Yoshikawa
(1991)FEBS Letters 296:107-111) and even 2.5 nanomoles of protein per ml
blood could therefore cause an "avalanche" of peptides being formed.  The
more so because peptidase defects regularly cause peptiduria (Watanabe Y et
al (1993) Res Comm Chem Pathol Pharmacol 81:323-350; Abassi Z et al (1992)
metabolism 41:683-685;Blau N et al (1980) J Inherit metab Dis 11 (Suppl 2)
240-242). Peptidura is of course a sign of hyperpeptidaemia.  We do not
really need increased uptake to get into trouble although that would
accelerate the process and if sufficiently large it could overwhelm even
normal breakdown capacity.  That there is gut to blood to mother milk
transport of intact food proteins is illustrated by papers where intact
antigens were found in mothers milk (Axellson I et al (1986)Acta paed Scand
75:702-707;Kilshaw PJ and Cant AJ (1984)Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol
75:8-15; Troncone R et al (1987) Acta paed Scand 76:453-456;Stuart CA et al
(1984)Clin Allergy 14:533-535)

4. We all have IgG antibodies to food proteins indicating uptake of
immunologically active proteins in trace quantities. In schizophrenia IgG
antibody increases against gluten have been reported ( Dohan FC et
al(1972)Biol Psychiat 5:127-131;Hekkens W Th et al (1980)in Biochemistry of
schizophrenia and Addiction ( edit : Hemmings G ) Lancaster ,MTP press;Rix
KJB et al (1985) PSYCHOL MED 15:347-354).  Increased  IgE antibodies to food
proteins were also found in schizophrenics ( Sugerman AA et al (1982) Annal
Allergy 48:166-171). Ashkenazi A et al (1979)Amer J psychiat 136:1306-1309:
found that leukocytes reacted to a fraction of gluten in a fashion
intermediate between coeliac disease and normal controls.

Finally we have ( Reichelt Kl and LandmarkJ (1994) Biol psychiat :in press)
found IgA antibody increases in schizophrenics diagnosed after DSM III and
sex and age matched controls .These IgA antibodies were mainly against
gliadin, gluten, lactoglobulin and casein.

Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to finance research into diet and
psychoses.Neuropharmacology has become very dominant for obvious reasons .
The dismal state of the patients and their social integration in many cases
clearly makes more research an urgent matter
                        Cheers
                                        TINY

K. Reichelt
Pediatric Research Institute
N-0027 Oslo, Norway
Tel: +47 22 86 90 45
Fax: +47 22 86 91 17
E-mail: [log in to unmask]