Does vitamin C have benefit in schizophrenia? Preliminary study with behavioral analysis in rats

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to analyze in rats models of schizophrenia, induced by the administration of ketamine, the possibility of the beneficial effects of ascorbic acid in schizophrenia, through the behavioral test. Methods This preliminary study was simple blind and randomized. The ketamine psychosis protocol was carried out in 24 Wistar rats, which were subsequently submitted to behavioral analysis. The first group was supplied with: water and ketamine; the second: ascorbic acid and ketamine; the third: antipsychotic, ascorbic acid and ketamine; the fourth: antipsychotic, water and ketamine. Behavioral analysis was performed using the Open Field Test, considered the standard method for assessing behavior in animal models of schizophrenia. Statistical analysis was performed by the IBM-SPSS software, using the Generalized Linear Models. Results Treatment in haloperidol monotherapy (Quadrant Average: 44.5 ± 15.8; CI: 13.54-75.46/Center Average: 2.67 ± 0.67; CI: 1.63-4.35) and combined with vitamin C (Quadrant Average: 38.67 ± 15.8; CI: 7.71-69.52/Center Average: 2.00 ± 0.58; CI: 1.14-3.52), demonstrated benefits in the animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine (Quadrant Average: 108.5 ± 15.8; CI: 77.54-139.46/Center Average: 11.33 ± 1.37; CI: 8.94- 14.37) (p < 0.001). The isolated treatment with vitamin C did not show a significant result (Quadrant Average: 62.00 ± 15.8; CI: 31.04-92.96/Mean Average: 7.00 ± 1.08; CI: 5.17-9.47). Conclusion The association of antipsychotic and vitamin C and only the antipsychotic demonstrated a therapeutic effect respecting to controls. Vitamin C manage separately had no benefit.