Role of Antioxidants (Vitamin C and E) in the Management of Schizophrenia
Condition: Schizophrenia
MeSH terms: Schizophrenia
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Background: Antioxidants are substances that are considered as a defensive material which
      protects cells from destruction. It is evident that use of food stuff rich in antioxidant
      will fortify one's ability to encounter with physical & mental disorders. Since, among
      several potential elucidations, oxidative stress is more likely deliberated as one of the
      causative factors which give rise to cognitive and functional impairment. This deterioration
      further result in intricacy in ones thought process as progressive brain changes crop-up
      schizophrenic unfold. Therefore, this study was conducted with objectives to explore the role
      of selected antioxidants (vitamin C & E) and to compare the role of both vitamins as an
      add-on management of schizophrenia .Materials & Methods: One hundred and five patients were
      selected from department of psychiatry King Edward Medical University Lahore, and assigned
      into 3 groups by simple random lottery method. For eight weeks, Vitamin C group intervened
      with 500mg vitamin C tablet once a day, vitamin E group with 600IU vitamin E twice daily and
      placebo group was given 500 mg paraffin oil capsule daily. PANSS scale was used to assess the
      symptoms of schizophrenia. Demographic information was collected by structured questionnaire.
      Dietary habits were assessed by food frequency questionnaire.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E are substances that are considered as a
      defensive material which protects cells from destruction. It is evident that use of food
      stuff rich in antioxidant will fortify one's ability to encounter with physical & mental
      disorders. Since, among several potential elucidations, oxidation stress is more likely
      deliberated as one of the causative factors which give rise to cognitive and functional
      impairment. Therefore, this study was conducted with objectives to explore the role of
      selected antioxidants (vitamin C & E) and to compare the role of both vitamins as an add-on
      management of schizophrenia .Materials & Methods: One hundred and five patients were selected
      from department of psychiatry King Edward Medical University Lahore, and assigned into 3
      groups by simple random lottery method. For the period of two months, Vitamin C group
      intervened with 500 mg vitamin C tablet once a day, vitamin E group with 600 I U vitamin E
      twice daily and placebo group was given 500 mg paraffin oil capsule daily. PANSS (Positive
      and Negative Symptoms Scale) was used to assess the symptoms of schizophrenia. Demographic
      information was collected by structured questionnaire. Dietary habits were assessed by (FFQ)
      food frequency questionnaire.
    

Intervention name(s): Antioxidants (Vitamin C, E )
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): For eight weeks, Vitamin C group was intervened with tablet vitamin c 500 mg once a day ,vitamin E group was intervened with Tablet vitamin E 600 I U twice a day.
Other intervention name(s): Tablet Vitamin E
Intervention MeSH terms: Vitamins; Vitamin E; Antioxidants
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Positive and Negative syndrome scale (PANSS); Antioxidants; Schizophrenia