CSF and plasma beta-casomorphin-like opioid peptides in postpartum psychosis

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Abstract
Opioid receptor-active components were measured in the CSF of 11 women with postpartum psychosis, 11 healthy lactating women and 16 healthy women who were not lactating. Activity that eluted with 0.2 M acetic acid 0.7-0.9 times the total volume of the column (fraction II activity) was significantly higher in the CSF of healthy and psychotic women in the puerperium than in that of the lactating women. Very high levels of fraction II activity were seen in 4 psychotic patients. Material from these patients was further characterized by electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography: the material migrated as bovine .beta.-casomorphin. Receptor-active material with the same characteristics was also found in the plasma of these 4 patients. Apparently, certain cases of postpartum psychosis seem to be associated with the occurrence in plasma and CSF of unique opioid peptides probably related to bovine .beta.-casomorphin.