A meta-analytic review of polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions in patients with depression.
BACKGROUND
On the basis of evidence from studies showing the antidepressant effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the inverse relation between fish consumption and the prevalence of depression, the phospholipid hypothesis seems promising in ascertaining the etiology and treatment of depression. Although several studies have shown lower levels of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in depressive patients, the results of individual polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), were inconsistent.


METHODS
We conducted the meta-analyses of 14 studies comparing the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids between depressive patients and control subjects. The effect size of each study was synthesized by using a random effects model.


RESULTS
Compared with control subjects, the levels of EPA, DHA, and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly lower in depressive patients. There was no significant change in AA or total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed lower levels of EPA, DHA, and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with depression, thus implying that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play a role in the pathogenesis of depression. Our findings provide further support to the phospholipid hypothesis of depression and a rationale for using n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as an alternative treatment for depression. With these results, future studies examining specific roles of DHA and EPA in different clusters of depressive symptoms are warranted.
Lin
Pao-Yen
PY
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huang
Shih-Yi
SY
Su
Kuan-Pin
KP
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid