Abstract
BackgroundThis study determined the effects of a novel combination of vitamin D and probiotic on metabolic and clinical symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.MethodsThis trial was conducted among 60 patients with chronic schizophrenia to receive either 50,000 IU vitamin D3 every 2 weeks plus 8 × 109 CFU/day probiotic (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks.ResultsVitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation was associated with a significant improvement in the general (− 3.1 ± 4.7 vs. + 0.3 ± 3.9, P = 0.004) and total PANSS scores (− 7.4 ± 8.7 vs. -1.9 ± 7.5, P = 0.01). Vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation also significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (+ 51.1 ± 129.7 vs. -20.7 ± 53.3 mmol/L, P = 0.007), and significantly decreased malondialdehyde (− 0.3 ± 0.9 vs. + 0.2 ± 0.4 μmol/L, P = 0.01) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (− 2.3 ± 3.0 vs. -0.3 ± 0.8 mg/L, P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Moreover, taking vitamin D plus probiotic significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose (− 7.0 ± 9.9 vs. -0.2 ± 9.9 mg/dL, P = 0.01), insulin concentrations (− 2.7 ± 2.3 vs. + 0.4 ± 2.0 μIU/mL, P < 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (− 0.8 ± 0.7 vs. + 0.1 ± 0.7, P < 0.001), triglycerides (− 7.8 ± 25.2 vs. + 10.1 ± 30.8 mg/dL, P = 0.01) and total cholesterol levels (− 4.9 ± 15.0 vs. + 5.9 ± 19.5 mg/dL, P = 0.04) and total−/HDL-cholesterol ratio (− 0.1 ± 0.6 vs. + 0.3 ± 0.8, P = 0.04).ConclusionProbiotic and vitamin D for 12 weeks to chronic schizophrenia had beneficial effects on the general and total PANSS score, and metabolic profiles.Trial RegistrationThis study was retrospectively registered in the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for clinical trials registration (http://www.irct.ir: IRCT2017072333551N2). 07-31-2017 2
Highlights
This study determined the effects of a novel combination of vitamin D and probiotic on metabolic and clinical symptoms in chronic schizophrenia
After the 12-week intervention, vitamin D and probiotic led to a significant enhancement in 25-OH-vitamin D levels (+ 9.1 ± 4.1 vs. + 0.2 ± 0.4 ng/ mL, P < 0.001), the general (− 3.1 ± 4.7 vs. + 0.3 ± 3.9, P = 0.004) and total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score (− 7.4 ± 8.7 vs. -1.9 ± 7.5, P = 0.01) (Table 3)
Taking vitamin D and probiotic had no significant effect on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score and other metabolic profiles
Summary
This study determined the effects of a novel combination of vitamin D and probiotic on metabolic and clinical symptoms in chronic schizophrenia. Over 50 million people around the world suffer from schizophrenia [1]. It is the most disabling and costly chronic condition because treatment-resistant symptoms are very common [2]. Schizophrenia is a highly destructive illness characterized by recurrent relapses, cognitive decline, emotional and functional disability [3]. This disease consists of positive (hallucinations, delusions) and negative (emotional blunting, apathy) symptoms, and cognitive impairment, the two latter ones very resistant to antipsychotic medication [4]. Low levels Vitamin D is highly prevalent in schizophrenic patients [10, 11] and vitamin D supplementation might improve clinical and metabolic profiles in neuropsychiatric disorders, though
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