Redox-Oxidative Stress and Micronutrients Interplay in the Clinical Phenotype of Schizophrenia in Nigeria Subjects

Background Redox-oxidative dysregulation is implicated in the aetiology of several diseases including schizophrenia with possible influence on clinical symptoms. This study investigated the influence of redox, lipid peroxidation and micronutrient antioxidants in the expression of clinical phenotypes of schizophrenia. Methods A total number of 220 consented drug naïve volunteers including 120 participants with Schizophrenia and 100 apparently healthy controls were recruited. Schizophrenia symptoms were evaluated using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). MDA, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, Catalase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (Vit C, Vit E, Zn, Se) were measured by ELISA and Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry technique, respectively. Results Enzymatic antioxidants; SOD (19.58 ± 0.80; 10.12 ± 0.045µmol/ml/min) and CAT (41.73 ± 1.8; 21.33 ± 0.98 µmol/ml/min) increased in schizophrenia compared with controls (p < 0.05) but decreased non-enzymatic antioxidants; Glutathione (GSH: 145.15 ± 0.28; 159.07 ± 1.59, P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum level of Zinc (0.18 ± 0.01; 0.27 ± 0.02 ppm), Selenium (0.08 ± 0.01; 0.10 ± 0.01 ppm) and Vitamin C (12.98 ± 0.49; 15.08 ± 0.37 mg/dl) were lowered in the schizophrenia compared with controls (P < 0.05). Glutathione had a negative correlation with positive symptoms (r=-0.285, p = 0.013) while SOD (r = 0.281, p = 0.001) and CAT (r = 0.179, p = 0.034) correlated positively with MDA (p < 0.05). In contrast, GSH (r=-0.247, p = 0.003) and TAC (r=-0.221, p = 0.009) correlated negatively with MDA (p < 0.05). Conclusion The study implicates redox and antioxidant imbalance in schizophrenia. There was evidence that natural defense against oxidative damage and antioxidant responses is compromised influencing the clinical phototypes of the disease, A meticulous supplementation of micronutrients and antioxidants may be a useful adjunct treatment in the management of schizophrenia.