Polyunsaturated fatty acid in treatment resistant depression: A pilot study
Introduction The deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and an alteration between the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Objectives To investigate the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 in red cell membranes (mPUFAs) and plasma (p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821008683/type/journal_article |
| Summary: | Introduction
The deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and an alteration between the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.
Objectives
To investigate the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 in red cell membranes (mPUFAs) and plasma (pPUFAs) of patients with treatment-resistant (TRD) and non-treatment resistant depression (non-TRD).
Methods
TRD and non-TRD consisted of 75 patients enrolled at the Psychiatric and Clinic Psychology Unit of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, and met the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). A group of healthy controls (HC) matched for agender and age was enrolled. All blood samples were performed in conditions of an empty stomach between 07:00 am and 09:00 am. For each subject were obtained 5 ml of whole blood with the use of tubes for plasma with EDTA as an anticoagulant. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for omega-3 and arachidonic acid (AA) for omega-6 were measured.
Results
Levels of pPUFAs did not differ between the three groups. The mPUFAs were altered in the MDD. TRD and non-TRD had lower EPA and AA values respect to the HC. DHA in red cell membranes was lower in TRD than non-TRD and HC.
Conclusions
Changes in levels of PUFAs in red cell membranes, but not in plasma, may be an important factor to evaluate the resistance to the pharmacological treatment.
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| ISSN: | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |