研究表明鱼油omega-3的抗抑郁作用

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids have key molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation, anti-depression and neuroprotection.

Lead researcher Dr Alessandra Borsini said the study provided "The first evidence" that hippocampal neurons produce lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450, two key lipid metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), could lead to the development of new treatments for depression.

"In fact, we found evidence of an association between increased levels of these metabolites and reduced depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder," Borsini said.

The study was published June 16 in Molecular Psychiatry. The researchers note that despite the known impact of inflammation on depression, there is still a lack of effective, safe anti-inflammatory strategies with clear mechanisms of action. Borsini and colleagues conducted a test: When EPA and DHA are metabolized, some of their metabolites or lipid mediators can protect the brain from inflammation. They tested their theory using an in vitro model of human hippocampal cells.

They found that treating human hippocampal cells with EPA or DHA before exposing them to cytokines prevented cell death and neuroreduction.

They confirmed that these effects were caused by several key lipid mediators produced by EPA and DHA—including hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid, hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid, epoxyeicosapentaenoic acid (EpETE), and epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (EpDPA).

The researchers say this is the first time these lipid mediators have been detected in human hippocampal neurons. They also found that treating nerve$ with an enzyme inhibitor increased the availability of two of these metabolites (EpETE and EpDPA), suggesting that it may be possible to optimize treatment in this way in the future.

These findings were replicated in 22 patients with major depression who took either EPA (3g/day) or DHA (1.4g/day) for 12 weeks. In both groups of patients, treatment with EPA or DHA increased metabolites and significantly improved depressive symptoms.

"Currently, we know that omega-3s can induce antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects, but without further understanding of how this effect occurs, it will be difficult to find effective treatments," Borsini said.

"Our study could inform the development of new depression treatments using omega-3s," Borsini added.

Study author Carmine of King's College London "It is important to emphasize that our study does not show that inflammation or depression can be reduced by simply increasing omega-3 fatty acids in the diet or by taking nutritional supplements," Dr. Pariante said in a news release.

"Depression and omega-3s," says Pariante The mechanisms behind the association between PUFAs are complex and further research and clinical trials are needed to fully understand how they work and inform future treatments. "

Reference: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953646#vp_1