title: The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in alcohol dependence treatment--a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lipid fraction of cell membranes consists of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS), and chronic alcohol use alters it, modifying its permeability, what might contribute for the dysfunctional metabolism observed in the central nervous system of alcohol dependent patients. Therefore, the supplementation of PUFAS can be an important adjuvant in alcoholism treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a placebo controlled, double blind, randomized study where, 80 alcohol dependent patients, according to DSM-IV, were allocated in four groups with 20 patient each: 'PUFAS', 'Naltrexone', 'Naltrexone + PUFAS' and 'Placebo'. Those substances were administered for 90 days and scales were applied to assess patients craving (OCDS) and alcohol dependence severity (SADD) at baseline and after 90 days. PUFAS serum levels were assessed before and after treatment by high performance liquid chromatography assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three patients completed the trial. There was a significant improvement over time on drinking days, SADD and OCDS scores in all groups (p < 0.001). The drinking days comparison between groups did not show statistical significant difference. The same effect was observed for compulsion (OCDS) and severity of dependence scale (SADD). The serum levels of PUFAS increased in all the supplemented groups after treatment, although not significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oral supplementation of 2 g PUFAS for 3 months did not significantly differ from placebo in reducing the amount of alcohol ingestion, or OCDS and SADD scores in a group of alcohol dependent patient.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01211769.
authors.affiliation: Psychobiology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, Rua Botucatu 862 - 1° Andar, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marina N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Fogaça
authors.forename: Ruth F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Santos-Galduróz
authors.forename: Jaqueline K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Eserian
authors.forename: José Carlos F
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Galduróz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D009271:Naltrexone