title: Supplementation of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, 12-Week, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Controversy over the efficacy of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in depression continues to this day. The present study investigated the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA supplementation reduces depressive symptoms in Korean patients with major depressive disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week, parallel-group trial, 35 patients with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Korean version (CES-D-K) scores ≥25 and depression confirmed by a psychiatrist were assigned to take either 3 capsules of n-3 PUFAs (1,140 mg of EPA + 600 mg of DHA; n = 18) or placebo (olive oil + safflower oil; n = 17).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs significantly reduced Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) scores as compared with intake of placebo using intention-to-treat analysis with last-observation-carried-forward after adjusting for energy, fat, and fish intake. However, the CES-D-K, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17, and Clinical Global Impression Scale scores did not significantly differ between the n-3 PUFA and placebo groups. After supplementation with n-3 PUFAs, the erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFAs were significantly increased, but n-6 PUFA levels were decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  n-3 PUFAs demonstrated an advantage over placebo that did not reach clinical significance, although CGI-I score was significantly decreased in the n-3 PUFA group as compared with the placebo group.
authors.forename: Yongsoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yoo-Sin
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seok Hyeon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Yong-Chon
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D010919:Placebos; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid