Scientist/ Assistant Professor University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Objectives: Previous systematic reviews have suggested potential benefits of antioxidants in preventing disease progression among COVID-19 patients, particularly in individuals with elevated antioxidant levels. However, there remains a need for robust evidence to clarify the role of antioxidants in COVID-19 management. This study evaluates the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation on COVID-19 related outcomes in a diverse outpatient population across Canada as part of the CanTreatCOVID platform.
Methods: CanTreatCOVID is a Canadian adaptive platform trial designed to evaluate therapeutic agents for mild to moderate COVID-19. Funded by CIHR and Health Canada, and ethically approved by Research Ethics Boards in six provinces, this sub-protocol assesses the efficacy of antioxidants as an adjunct to standard care. Eligibility criteria include adults aged ≥50 years or those aged 18-49 with chronic high-risk conditions or immunosuppression, presenting within 5 days of COVID-19 symptom onset. Exclusion criteria include hospitalization, concurrent trial participation, specific supplement use, and medical contraindications to the study therapeutics. Additional exclusions specific to antioxidant therapy include pregnancy, breastfeeding, known allergies to study components, advanced chronic kidney or liver disease, recent head and neck cancer diagnosis, or the use of warfarin. Eligible participants are randomized to receive either standard care alone or standard care plus a 10-day course of antioxidants (300 µg selenium, 40 mg zinc, 45 mg lycopene, and 1.5 g vitamin C, administered as three tablets once daily). The primary outcome is time to recovery, defined as the first instance in which participants report feeling fully recovered.
Results: This trial is ongoing, with results anticipated to clarify the potential role of antioxidant therapy in accelerating symptoms recovery in high-risk outpatients.
Conclusions: The findings will contribute to the growing body of evidence on supportive therapeutic interventions for SARS-Cov2 and may inform clinical guidelines for outpatient SARS-Cov2 management.
Funding Sources: Canadian Institute of Health Research
