Omega-3 fatty acids and anorexia.
OBJECTIVE
To review the mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids and their role in the brain, as well as their therapeutic implications in anorexia.


RESULTS
Recent studies have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids modulate changes in the concentrations and actions of several orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides in the brain, including neuropeptide Y, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone and the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. In patients with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, low tissue concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and high concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines are found, in association with anorexia and decreased food intake. The data suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production and improves food intake by normalizing hypothalamic orexigenic peptides and neurotransmitters.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on current data, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a role in the treatment of anorexia by stimulating the production and release of orexigenic neurotransmitters in food intake regulatory nuclei in the hypothalamus.
Goncalves
Carolina G
CG
Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Surgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA.
Ramos
Eduardo J B
EJ
Suzuki
Susumu
S
Meguid
Michael M
MM
D000855:Anorexia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents