Serum protein markers in Chinese schizophrenics - Haptoglobin types and transferrin and group-specific component subtypes

Abstract

Four hundred and thirty-nine Chinese schizophrenic male patients were investigated for the distribution of haptoglobin types; transferrin and group-specific component subtypes. The allelic frequencies of these three polymorphisms in the patient group were compared with those in healthy controls from published series. An excess of Gc2 over Gc1 (X1 2 4.1; P < 0.05) as well as a lack of Gc(1S) (X1 2 15.3; P < 0.001) was observed in schizophrenia. The relative risks of Gc(1F), Gc(1S) and Gc2 have been estimated as 1.12, 0.76 and 1.15, respectively. It appears from this study that the presence of Gc2 renders individuals susceptible while Gc(1S) offers protection for schizophrenia. No such association was found for the haptoglobin or transferrin polymorphisms.