CNS Neurosci Ther. 2022 Nov 7. doi: 10.1111/cns.14010. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness and safety of pentoxifylline as an adjuvant to risperidone in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, eighty outpatients with chronic schizophrenia were given risperidone for 8 weeks along with either pentoxifylline or a placebo. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was used to assess patients at the start of the trial, as well as at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Pre- and posttreatment serum levels of cAMP, TNF-α-, and IL-6 were measured.
RESULTS: The pentoxifylline group revealed a significant effect for time-treatment interaction on PANSS-negative subscale scores (p < 0.001), PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (p < 0.001), and PANSS total scores (p < 0.001), but not on PANSS-positive subscale scores (p = 0.169). Additionally, when compared to the placebo group, the pentoxifylline group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cAMP serum level and a statistically significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 serum levels.
CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline adjunctive therapy with risperidone for 8 weeks was found to be promising in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04094207.
PMID:36341700 | DOI:10.1111/cns.14010
