Omega-3 fatty acids reduce negative impact of major depressive disorder among obese

Massachusetts: Researchers at Emory University and Massachusetts General Hospital have found in a new study that Omega-3 fatty acids reduce negative impact of major depressive disorder among obese patients. Eicosapentaenoic acid at a dose of 4 g per day significantly lessened the effects of severe depressive disorder after 12 weeks than the placebo among  overweight people with high inflammatory markers.

The research study was published in The Journal Of Clinical Psychiatry.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) have been shown to be useful in treating depression, according to a growing body of research. The effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on a variety of illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, the incidence of psychosis, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, have been examined.

PUFA therapy may be useful for treating cardiovascular disease and MDD, according to meta-analyses, although overall results are conflicting, quoted the authors.

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of three eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) doses in comparison to placebo on inflammatory markers and depression symptoms.

Researchers conducted a parallel-group, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 61 untreated adults (75% female) with MDD and BMI over 25 kg/m2 and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) above or equal to 3.0 mg/L was carried out. For 12 weeks, participants were given either a placebo or a dose of 1, 2, or 4 grams of EPA per day. A 0.40 effect size reduction in plasma interleukin (IL)-6, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokines, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production were the prespecified objectives. The response was defined as an Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician-Rated version (IDS-C30) score decrease of 50% or greater. Results were also contrasted between the three EPA dosages and a placebo.

Key findings of the research:

• Only the median PBMC TNF decreased at 2 g/d EPA among the 45 experimental participants.
• In plasma IL-6 or mitogen-stimulated TNF, no EPA dosage resulted in a 0.35 effect size reduction.
• When EPA 4 g per day was administered, response rates were 64%, compared to 40% for the placebo (OR, 2.63; Cohen d = 0.53), 38% for EPA 1 g per day, and 36% for EPA 2 g per day.
• The percentage drop in plasma hs-CRP and the reduction in IDS-C30 symptoms at 12 weeks were significantly correlated with EPA 4 g per day.

The authors concluded that in comparison to placebo, EPA 4 g/d showed a medium impact magnitude for response rates.

In overweight people with increased inflammatory markers, this dose may reduce MDD, and a reduction in hs-CRP may be associated with a favorable clinical outcome, the researchers added.

REFERENCE

Mischoulon D et al. J Clin Psychiatry. 2022;doi:10.4088/JCP.21m14074.