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Polyunsaturated fatty acid in treatment resistant depression: A pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

T. Jannini*
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
L. Longo
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Y. Barone
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
C. Niolu
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
S. Bernardini
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
A. Siracusano
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
P. Bertucci
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
G. Di Lorenzo
Affiliation:
Department Of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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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.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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