Effects of N-Acetyl-Cysteine in patients with bipolar depression (primary outcome is Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) with and without tobacco use disorder and on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers

The study subjects are bipolar depressive patients seeking outpatient treatment for bipolar affective disorder in the psychiatric outpatient clinic in Heath Unit System of the Network of Outpatient Hospital of the State University of Londrina , and tobacco use disorder according of criteria Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, as control use never smokers.

This is a placebo-controlled, 12 weeks, with a sample of 130 bipolar patients who sought treatment at the outpatient clinic of the Hospital of clinical psychiatry at State University of Londrina clinical trial , double-blind , randomized, from May 2015 to May 2016. Patients will be randomly allocated into two groups, double-blind, to receive a combination product (NAC, 1.8 g/day) or placebo for a period of 12 weeks. Both groups remain receiving maintenance treatment in outpatient psychiatry , and general medical and routinely reviews psychiatric . The dosage will be fixed 1.8 g /day of NAC administered in capsules taken 1 before breakfast, 1 before lunch and 1 before dinner is equal doses.

The choice of this dosage is based on previous studies (Prado et al., submitted) , in which similar doses that are effective and well tolerated . To enable the process to be double-blind study medications (NAC or placebo ) will be dispensed monthly number and identical formulations and packages sealed by a pharmacist who will participate in the parallel test . Patients will do blood tests for assessment of oxidative stress at baseline will be randomized to use of NAC or placebo and at the final stage of the 12 weeks , when the new assessment and collection of blood for analysis of oxidative stress will be performed . Clinicians who conduct the study will be blinded to allocation of NAC or placebo for each patient .

The NAC is a compound with a low rate of adverse effects , among them being described diarrhea, nausea and dermatological allergy. It is considered a very low risk medication. The placebo will be the basis of lactose, composed almost devoid of risk for side effects except if allergic to lactose (exclusion criterion ) .

Inclusion Criteria:

To be included in this study participants between 18 and 65 years, both sexes , all races, capacity to consent to the study and carefully follow the guidelines and procedures and sign the term of free and informed consent. Patients with bipolar depression will be included with score above 21 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items) and above 14 on the Beck Depression Inventory.

Exclusion Criteria:

We will exclude: patients with delirium or cognitive deficits or failure of understanding and reflection to change. Furthermore, dementia , amnesia and other cognitive disorders, infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C , HIV, chronic diseases such as renal failure, obstructive pulmonary disease and autoimmune interferon treatment, stroke , Parkinson's disease, pathological use of psychoactive substances and consumption of antioxidants. These situations can affect an inflammatory and / or immune process