Oxidative stress has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Increased oxidative stress is the result of either an increased production of free radicals or a depletion of the endogenous antioxidants. However, whether this imbalance of oxidant-antioxidant status in schizophrenia is integral to disease itself or the effect of antipsychotic drugs is not clearly understood. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of olanzapine and risperidone on oxidative stress, and anti oxidant status. A total of 179 patients were enrolled, and 93 of them completed the study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured for oxidative stress assessment. Plasma levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) were measured for anti-oxidant status evaluation. All patients were studied at baseline, and after 3 months  treatment with olanzapine or risperidone. 30 apparently healthy people were taken as control. The schizophrenia group presented higher levels of oxidative stress than the control group, as revealed by elevated quantities of the pro-oxidant MDA, and decreased levels of the antioxidants GSH, plasma α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid (P< 0.01). After 3 months in both olanzapine and risperidone treated groups MDA levels were reduced significantly (P < 0.01). However, levels of erythrocyte GSH, plasma vitamin E, and vitamin C were increased significantly (P < 0.01). Therefore, atypical antipsychotics like olanzapine and risperidone improved the antioxidant status which might play a role in the improvement of schizophrenia symptoms.

During treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), patients suffer from many adverse effects. Severe adverse effects may lead to refusal and discontinuation of treatment. Though national tuberculosis control programs are generally well structured, they do not collect information on adverse effects of drug directly. This study had been designed to observe the pattern of adverse effects of MDR-TB drugs in Bangladesh. This observational and descriptive type of longitudinal study was carried out at the in-patient department of the National Institute for Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The total number of subjects included was 64. The data collection was carried out with pretested questionnaire. After the interview at the initial stage, the respondents had to take part in interview again at one month interval up to the end of the 3^rd month of treatment. The collected data was analyzed in terms of descriptive method. The mean age of respondents was 34.76 ± 12.98 years. 20-60 years age group comprised80% of respondents. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Regarding the adverse effects of MDR-TB drugs, 80% of respondents suffered from arthralgia, 59% from anorexia, 52% from dizziness, 44% from nausea/vomiting and 44% from sleep disturbances. Gastritis, hypothyroidism and psychological disorders were each observed in 19% of patients. 17% developed impaired hearing. Peripheral neuropathy was developed by 28% of respondents. Serum creatinine level was raised in 3% of respondents. Hypocalcemia had been developed in 6% of respondents. Among psychological disorders, 67% consisted of depression, 25% were anxiety, and 8% were psychosis. The mean number of adverse effects that the respondents had to suffer from was 5 (range 1 -11).  Uninterrupted treatment had been continued in 86% of cases. Drug dose had to be reduced in 11% of cases and drug had to be stopped in 3% of cases. The findings of this study may provide baseline information in Bangladesh on adverse effects of MDR-TB drugs. The information may help minimizing the treatment interruption and thus preventing propagation and dissemination of MDR-TB.