title: Omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of interferon-alpha-induced depression: results from a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interferon (IFN)-α therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection is frequently associated with depression. The routine prophylaxis with antidepressants might expose patients to adverse effects, hence, the need for alternative preventive interventions. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are safe and effective essential nutritional compounds used for the treatment of depression, putatively through an anti-inflammatory action. In addition, lower erythrocyte levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with an increased risk of IFN-induced depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and placebo for the prevention of IFN-α-induced depression. A total of 162 patients consented to participate and were randomized to the study. All of the patients completed the 2-week trial; 152 participants were followed throughout the 24 weeks of IFN-α treatment and were included in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with placebo, the incident rates of IFN-α-induced depression were significantly lower in EPA-treated but not in DHA-treated patients (10% and 28%, respectively, versus 30% for placebo, p = .037). Both EPA and DHA significantly delayed the onset of IFN-induced depression (week of onset: 12.0 and 11.7, respectively, versus 5.3 for placebo, p = .002). EPA and DHA were both well tolerated in this population. EPA treatment increased both EPA and DHA erythrocyte levels, but DHA only increased DHA erythrocyte levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPA is effective in the prevention of depression in hepatitis C virus patients received IFN-α therapy. Our study confirms the notion that anti-inflammatory strategies are effective antidepressants in the context of depression associated with inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Mind-Body Interface Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kuan-Pin
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatogastroenterology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsueh-Chou
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Ting
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatogastroenterology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Pang
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatogastroenterology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Mind-Body Interface Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jane Pei-Chen
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Mind-Body Interface Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Health Care Administration, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: carmine.pariante@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carmine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pariante
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV); clinical trial; inflammation; interferon-alpha (IFN-α); major depressive disorder (MDD); omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs)