title: Supplementation with eicosapentaenoic omega-3 fatty acid does not influence serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in diabetes mellitus patients with major depression: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are observed in both depressed and diabetes patients. Animal research has shown that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increase BDNF levels. In this exploratory randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in diabetes patients with major depression, we tested whether (a) omega- 3 ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) leads to increased serum BDNF levels and (b) whether changes in BDNF levels are associated with corresponding changes in depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received 1 g/day E-EPA (n = 13) or placebo (n = 12) for 12 weeks, in addition to ongoing antidepressant therapy. At baseline and 12-week follow-up, we determined serum BDNF levels and depression severity, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no effect of E-EPA on BDNF levels (t = -0.144, p = 0.887), and changes in BDNF levels and depression severity were not significantly associated (Spearman's ρ = -0.115, p = 0.593).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study does not provide evidence that supplementation with E-EPA improves BDNF levels in depressed diabetes patients already using antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: CoRPS-Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mariska
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bot
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pouwer
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Assies
authors.forename: Eugène H J M
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Aartjan T F
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Beekman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Jonge
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C035276:eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid