Clinical and metabolic response to vitamin D plus probiotic in schizophrenia patients

Abstract

Background This study determined the effects of a novel combination of vitamin D and probiotic on metabolic and clinical symptoms in chronic schizophrenia. Methods This trial was conducted among 60 patients with chronic schizophrenia to receive either 50,000 IU vitamin D3 every 2 weeks plus 8 × 10 9 CFU/day probiotic ( n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Results Vitamin 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). Conclusion Probiotic and vitamin D for 12 weeks to chronic schizophrenia had beneficial effects on the general and total PANSS score, and metabolic profiles. Trial Registration This study was retrospectively registered in the Iranian website ( www.irct.ir ) for clinical trials registration ( http://www.irct.ir : IRCT2017072333551N2). 07-31-2017 2

Probiotics and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Focus on Psychiatry

“…lactis Bb12 (10 9 CFU/day) N = 58 PANSS F = 16 Systemic immunomodulatory effects of probiotic supplementation no significant differences in the PANSS total score M = 42 Probiotic ( n = 31) Mean age, 44.4 years (11.0) Placebo ( n = 27) Mean age, 48.1 years (9.4) Severance et al [ 13 ] USA Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV) 14 weeks Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (10 9 CFU/day) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12 (10 9 CFU/day) N = 56 PANSS F = 19 Impact on yeast seropositivity ( Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cervisiae ) antibody levels and bowel discomfort; administration of probiotics may help normalise Candida albicans antibody levels and Candida albicans -associated gut discomfort in male individuals M = 37 Probiotic ( n = 30) Mean age, 44.66 years (11.4) Placebo ( n = 26) Mean age, 48.11 years (9.6) PANSS scores were not statistically altered in the longitudinal analyses Ghaderi et al [ 14 ] Iran Schizophrenia (DSM-IV) with disease duration of at least 2 years 12 weeks 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 and probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus , Bifidobacterium bifidum , Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum (8 × 10 9 CFU/day) N = 60 PANSS F = 4 Biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, lipid profiles and glycaemic control M = 56 Probiotic + vitamin D ( n = 30) Mean age, 44.8 years (8.3) Placebo ( n = 30) Mean age, 43.2 years (6.0) significant effect of probiotics and Vitamin D on total PANSS Score (p = 0.007) but no impact on negative and positive PANSS sub-scores …”

The Gut Microbiome and Schizophrenia: The Current State of the Field and Clinical Applications

“…Recently, a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium bifidum was given with vitamin D to schizophrenia subjects, which resulted in a significant improvement in the general and total PANSS scores, decreased circulating CRP levels and enhanced total antioxidant capacity of plasma, indicating symptomatic improvement and reduced inflammation (92). However, it is uncertain which component of the intervention was responsible for those changes.…”

Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Damage in the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

“…In another study, in which 25(OH) vitamin D was measured in 20 recent onset schizophrenia patients and 20 matched controls, lower levels of vitamin D were linked to more severe symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia [ 187 ]. In a study of 60 patients with chronic schizophrenia, participants received either a placebo or a 50,000 IU dose of vitamin D3 once every two weeks in addition to daily consumption of probiotics (8 × 109 CFU) for 12 weeks; the combined treatment of vitamin D and probiotics had a beneficial impact not only on metabolic profiles but also on total and general PANSS scores [ 188 ].…”