title: Improvement of major depression is associated with increased erythrocyte DHA.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if changes in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status following tuna oil supplementation correlated with changes in scores of depression. A total of 95 volunteers receiving treatment for major depression were randomised to consume 8 × 1 g capsules per day of HiDHA (2 g DHA, 0.6 g EPA and 10 mg Vitamin E) or olive oil (placebo) for 16 weeks, whilst undergoing weekly counseling sessions by trained clinical psychologists using a standard empirically validated psychotherapy. Depression status was assessed using the 17 item Hamilton rating scale for depression and the Beck Depression Inventory by a psychodiagnostician who was blind to the treatment. Blood was taken at baseline and 16 weeks (n = 48) for measurement of erythrocyte fatty acids. With HiDHA supplementation, erythrocyte DHA content rose from 4.1 ± 0.2 to 7.9 ± 0.4 % (mean ± SEM, p < 0.001) of total fatty acids but did not change (4.0 ± 0.2 to 4.1 ± 0.2 %) in the olive oil group. The mean changes in scores of depression did not differ significantly between the two groups (-12.2 ± 2.1 for tuna oil and -14.4 ± 2.3 for olive oil). However, analysis of covariance showed that in the fish oil group there was a significant correlation (r = -0.51) between the change in erythrocyte DHA and the change in scores of depression (p < 0.05). Further study of the relationship between DHA and depression is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. bmeyer@uow.edu.au
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Brin F S
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Grenyer
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: Alice J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Grigonis-Deane
authors.forename: Peter R C
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Howe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002214:Capsules; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid