Sains Malaysiana 41(6)(2012): 715–720

Carotenoid as a Potential Antioxidant Marker for Schizophrenia

(Karotenoid Berpotensi sebagai Penanda Antioksidan bagi Skizofrenia)

T. J. Chow & H.C. Loh*

Chemical Enginnering, Department of Chemical Engineering , Faculty of Engineering and Science

UTAR, Jalan Genting Kelang, Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 12 January 2011 / Accepted: 30 December 2011

ABSTRACT

Free radicals are results of aerobic activities and can damage cells when present in excess by causing oxidative stress. Antioxidants efficiently quench free radicals to counteract oxidative stress. Carotenoids are antioxidants that have detectable natural colorant which can be measured as indicator of antioxidant level in human. The aim of this study is to investigate possible association of carotenoid antioxidant levels in schizophrenia. A total of 524 patients with schizophrenia from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Malaysia and 391 healthy controls were recruited. Subjects’ skin carotenoid levels were measured through a non-invasive approach using Raman spectroscopy. Patients with schizophrenia showed significant (p < 0.01) lower carotenoid level compared to healthy controls. Factors such as gender, age, subtypes, antipsychotic drug treatments, and duration of illness did not differ significantly among patients. It is concluded that patient with schizophrenia have low levels of carotenoid antioxidants and is suggested to experience higher level of oxidative stress compared to healthy individuals.

Keywords: Antioxidant; carotenoid; oxidative stress

ABSTRAK

Radikal bebas merupakan hasilan daripada aktiviti aerobick dan boleh merosakkan sel melalui tekanan oksidatif apabila hadir secara berlebihan. Antioksidan menghilangkan radikal bebas untuk mengatasi tekanan oksidatif secara berkesan. Antioksidan karotenoid adalah pewarna semula jadi yang dapat dikesan serta diukur sebagai penanda aras antioksida dalam manusia. Matlamat kajian ini adalah untuk menyiasat kemungkinan wujudnya hubungan paras antioksida karotenoid dalam skizofrenia. Sejumlah 524 pesakit skizofrenia dari Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Malaysia dan 391 kawalan yang sihat direkrut. Aras karotenoid di kulit subjek diukur melalui spektroskopi Raman yang “tidak-invasif”. Pesakit skizofrenia menunjukkan paras karotenoid yang rendah secara nyata (P > 0.01) berbanding dengan kawalan sihat. Faktor-faktor seperti jantina, umur, sub-jenis, rawatan ubat antipsikotik dan tempoh sakit adalah tidak signifikan di kalangan pesakit. Secara kesimpulannya, pesakit skizofrenia mempunyai aras antioksidan karotenoid yang lebih rendah dan dicadangkan mengalami paras tekanan oksidatif yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan individu yang sihat.

Kata kunci: Antioksidan; karotenoid; tekanan oksidatif

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*Corresponding author; email: hcloh@utar.edu.my