Improvement of Major Depression is Associated with Increased Erythrocyte DHA. Issue 9 (4th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyer, Barbara J.; Grenyer, Brin F. S.; Crowe, Trevor; Owen, Alice J.; Grigonis‐Deane, Elizabeth M.; Howe, Peter R. C.
• Is Part Of: Lipids. Volume 48:Issue 9(2013)
• Page Start: 863
• Page End: 868
• Publication Date: 2013-06-04
• Subjects: n‐3 Fatty acids -- Nutrition; Lipids -- Periodicals; Lipids -- Periodicals; Lipiden; Lipides -- Périodiques; 547.77
• DOI: 10.1007/s11745-013-3801-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4201

Abstract

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.