The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder
This review aims to clarify the relation between the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and the development of depression. It is explained how these fatty acids are involved in the production of eicosanoids and how these fatty acids can affect the membrane fluidity, by their incorporation into...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1010660X16300210 |
| _version_ | 1797728414431444992 |
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| author | Kristian Søborg Husted Elena V. Bouzinova |
| author_facet | Kristian Søborg Husted Elena V. Bouzinova |
| author_sort | Kristian Søborg Husted |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review aims to clarify the relation between the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and the development of depression. It is explained how these fatty acids are involved in the production of eicosanoids and how these fatty acids can affect the membrane fluidity, by their incorporation into membrane phospholipids. In addition, it is described how omega-3 derivatives are shown to regulate gene transcription. In view of the pathophysiology of depression, the mechanisms of how an altered ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 could be involved in depression are discussed. Possible mechanisms could include an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can activate the HPA axis and a changed membrane fluidity, which potentially affects membrane bound enzymes, ion channels, receptor activity and neurotransmitter binding. In view of clinical trials, it is also discussed whether omega-3 supplementation could have a beneficial effect in the treatment of depressive patient. There are strong indications that an increased ratio of membrane omega-6 to omega-3 is involved in the pathogenesis of depression and so far, omega-3 supplementation has shown positive effects in clinical trials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:13:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b2800276f8540b39f887101bd78993f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:13:37Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b2800276f8540b39f887101bd78993f2023-09-02T02:28:09ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X2016-01-0152313914710.1016/j.medici.2016.05.003The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorderKristian Søborg Husted0Elena V. Bouzinova1Department of Biomedicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DenmarkDepartment of Biomedicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DenmarkThis review aims to clarify the relation between the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and the development of depression. It is explained how these fatty acids are involved in the production of eicosanoids and how these fatty acids can affect the membrane fluidity, by their incorporation into membrane phospholipids. In addition, it is described how omega-3 derivatives are shown to regulate gene transcription. In view of the pathophysiology of depression, the mechanisms of how an altered ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 could be involved in depression are discussed. Possible mechanisms could include an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can activate the HPA axis and a changed membrane fluidity, which potentially affects membrane bound enzymes, ion channels, receptor activity and neurotransmitter binding. In view of clinical trials, it is also discussed whether omega-3 supplementation could have a beneficial effect in the treatment of depressive patient. There are strong indications that an increased ratio of membrane omega-6 to omega-3 is involved in the pathogenesis of depression and so far, omega-3 supplementation has shown positive effects in clinical trials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1010660X16300210Polyunsaturated fatty acids ratioDepressionArachidonic acidEicosapentaenoic acid |
| spellingShingle | Kristian Søborg Husted Elena V. Bouzinova The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder Medicina Polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio Depression Arachidonic acid Eicosapentaenoic acid |
| title | The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| title_full | The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| title_fullStr | The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| title_short | The importance of n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| title_sort | importance of n 6 n 3 fatty acids ratio in the major depressive disorder |
| topic | Polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio Depression Arachidonic acid Eicosapentaenoic acid |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1010660X16300210 |
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