Fish Oil Research - Abstracts - 1 of 2

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids and depression in a community sample.

Nutr Neurosci. 2004 Apr;7(2):101-6.

Jacka EN, Pasco JA, Henry MJ, Kotowicz MA, Nicholson GC, Berk M.

Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, PO. Box 281, Geelong 3220, Vic., Australia.

To evaluate the association between omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids and depression, data regarding prevalence rates of self-reported depression and median daily dietary intakes of these fatty acids were obtained from an age-stratified, population-based sample of women (n = 755; 23-97 year) in the Barwon Statistical Division of south-eastern Australia. A self-report questionnaire based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV criteria was utilised to determine 12-month prevalence rates of depression in this sample, and data from biennial food frequency questionnaires examining seafood and fish oil consumption over a 6-year period were examined. Differences in median dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids between the depressed and nondepressed cohorts were analysed and results were adjusted for age, weight and smoking status. No significant differences in median intakes were identified between the two groups of women (median, interquartile range; depressed = 0.09g/day, 0.04-0.18 versus nondepressed = 0.11 g/day, 0.05-0.22, p = 0.3), although overall average intakes of omega-3 fatty acids were lower than recommended and rates of depression within this sample higher than expected, based on previous data. Further research that takes into account ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, as well as other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, is warranted.

Effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on brain gene expression.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Jul 27;101(30):10931-6. Epub 2004 Jul 19.

Kitajka K, Sinclair AJ, Weisinger RS, Weisinger HS, Mathai M, Jayasooriya AP, Halver JE, Puskas LG.

Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-6701, Szeged, Hungary.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential structural components of the central nervous system. Their role in controlling learning and memory has been well documented. A nutrigenomic approach with high-density microarrays was used to reveal brain gene-expression changes in response to different PUFA-enriched diets in rats. In aged rats fed throughout life with PUFA-enriched diets, genes with altered expressions included transthyretin, alpha-synuclein, and calmodulins, which play important roles in synaptic plasticity and learning. The effect of perinatal omega-3 PUFA supply on gene expression later in life also was studied. Several genes showed similar changes in expression in rats fed omega-3-deficient diets in the perinatal period, regardless of whether they or their mothers were fed omega-3 PUFA-sufficient diets after giving birth. In this experiment, among the down-regulated genes were a kainate glutamate receptor and a DEAD-box polypeptide. Among the up-regulated genes were a chemokine-like factor, a tumor necrosis factor receptor, and cytochrome c. The possible involvement of the genes with altered expression attributable to different diets in different brain regions in young and aged rats and the possible mode of regulatory action of PUFA also are discussed. We conclude that PUFA-enriched diets lead to significant changes in expression of several genes in the central nervous tissue, and these effects appear to be mainly independent of their effects on membrane composition. The direct effects of PUFA on transcriptional modulators, the downstream developmentally and tissue-specifically activated elements might be one of the clues to understanding the beneficial effects of the omega-3 PUFA on the nervous system.

Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):204-16.

Leitzmann MF, Stampfer MJ, Michaud DS, Augustsson K, Colditz GC, Willett WC, Giovannucci EL.

Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. leitzmann@mail.nih.gov

BACKGROUND: Laboratory studies have shown that n-3 fatty acids inhibit and n-6 fatty acids stimulate prostate tumor growth, but whether the dietary intake of these fatty acids affects prostate cancer risk in humans remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We prospectively evaluated the association between intakes of alpha-linolenic (ALA; 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22:6n-3), linoleic (LA; 18:2n-6), and arachidonic (AA; 20:4n-6) acids and prostate cancer risk. DESIGN: A cohort of 47 866 US men aged 40-75 y with no cancer history in 1986 was followed for 14 y. RESULTS: During follow-up, 2965 new cases of total prostate cancer were ascertained, 448 of which were advanced prostate cancer. ALA intake was unrelated to the risk of total prostate cancer. In contrast, the multivariate relative risks (RRs) of advanced prostate cancer from comparisons of extreme quintiles of ALA from nonanimal sources and ALA from meat and dairy sources were 2.02 (95% CI: 1.35, 3.03) and 1.53 (0.88, 2.66), respectively. EPA and DHA intakes were related to lower prostate cancer risk. The multivariate RRs of total and advanced prostate cancer from comparisons of extreme quintiles of the combination of EPA and DHA were 0.89 (0.77, 1.04) and 0.74 (0.49, 1.08), respectively. LA and AA intakes were unrelated to the risk of prostate cancer. The multivariate RR of advanced prostate cancer from a comparison of extreme quintiles of the ratio of LA to ALA was 0.62 (0.45, 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Increased dietary intakes of ALA may increase the risk of advanced prostate cancer. In contrast, EPA and DHA intakes may reduce the risk of total and advanced prostate cancer.

Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, but not alpha-linolenic acid, suppress deoxynivalenol-induced experimental IgA nephropathy in mice.

J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6):1353-61.

Jia Q, Shi Y, Bennink MB, Pestka JJ.

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Diets enriched in the (n-3) PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and their precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), were evaluated for efficacy in ameliorating the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) induced in mice by the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). The effects of DON were compared in mice that were fed for 18 wk with AIN-93G diets containing 1) 10 g/kg corn oil plus 60 g/kg oleic acid (control); 2) 10 g/kg corn oil plus 35 g/kg oleic acid and 25 g/kg DHA-enriched fish oil (DHA); 3) 10 g/kg corn oil plus 33 g/kg oleic acid and 27 g/kg EPA-enriched fish oil (EPA); and 4) 10 g/kg corn oil plus 37 g/kg oleic acid and 23 g/kg DHA + EPA (1:1) enriched fish oil (DHA + EPA). The DHA, EPA and DHA + EPA diets attenuated induction by dietary DON (10 mg/kg) of serum IgA and IgA immune complexes, kidney mesangial IgA deposition, and ex vivo IgA secretion by spleen cells. Consumption of the DHA + EPA diet for 8 wk significantly abrogated the DON-induced gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, a requisite cytokine for DON-induced IgA nephropathy, in spleen and Peyer's patches. Finally, incorporation of ALA-containing flaxseed oil up to 60 g/kg in the AIN-93G diet did not affect DON-induced IgA dysregulation in mice. Taken together, both DHA and EPA, but not ALA, ameliorated the early stages of IgAN, and these effects might be related to a reduced capacity for IL-6 production.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and exercise on low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein subfractions.

Metabolism. 2004 Jun;53(6):749-54.

Thomas TR, Smith BK, Donahue OM, Altena TS, James-Kracke M, Sun GY.

Departments of Nutritional Sciences, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of combining exercise with omega-3 fatty acids (n-3fa) supplementation on lipoprotein subfractions and associated enzymes. Subjects were 10 recreationally active males, aged 25 +/- 1.5 years (mean +/- SE), who supplemented n-3fa (60% eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 40% docosahexaenoic [DHA]) at 4 g/d for 4 weeks. Before and after supplementation, subjects completed a 60-minute session of treadmill exercise at 60% Vo(2)max. Following a 24-hour diet and activity control period, blood was collected immediately before and after the exercise session to assess lipid variables: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and subfractions, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and subfractions and particle size, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. Supplementation with n-3fa alone increased total HDL-C and HDL(2)-C, while exercise alone increased total HDL-C, HDL(3)-C, and total LDL-C. LDL subfractions, particle size, and LCAT and CETP activities were not affected by supplementation. Combination treatment resulted in an additive effect for HDL(3)-C only and also increased LDL(1)-C versus baseline. LCAT and CETP activities were not affected by treatments. These results suggest that n-3fa supplementation or an exercise session each affect total HDL-C and subfractions but not LDL-C or subfractions. In addition, the combination of n-3fa and exercise may have additional effects on total HDL-C and LDL-C subfractions as compared to either treatment alone in active young men.

Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes.

Int J Clin Pract. 2004 Mar;58(3):297-9.

Puri BK, Holmes J, Hamilton G.

MRI Unit, Imaging Sciences Department, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.

Lateral ventricular enlargement has been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome, while cerebral neurospectroscopy has recently indicated that essential fatty acid treatment may be of value in this condition. An essential fatty acid supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was therefore given daily to a female patient with a 6-year history of unremitting symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Cerebral magnetic resonance scanning was carried out at baseline and 16 weeks later. The EPA-rich essential fatty acid supplementation led to a marked clinical improvement in her symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, starting within 6-8 weeks. Accurate quantification of the lateral ventricular volumes in the baseline and 16-week follow-up registered images of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging structural scans showed that the treatment was accompanied by a marked reduction in the lateral ventricular volume during this period, from 28,940-23,660 mm3.

Meta-analysis of observational studies on fish intake and coronary heart disease.

Am J Cardiol. 2004 May 1;93(9):1119-23.

Whelton SP, He J, Whelton PK, Muntner P.

Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Fish consumption has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in some but not all studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to determine if fish consumption is associated with lower fatal and total CHD. English language articles published before May 2003 were searched. In all, 19 observational studies (14 cohort and 5 case-control) in which there was a group that consumed fish on a regular basis and a comparison group that consumed little or no fish were included. With use of a standardized protocol and data extraction form, information on study design, sample size, participant characteristics, duration of follow-up, assessment of end points, and consumption of fish was abstracted. Using a random effects model, we pooled data from each study. Fish consumption versus little to no fish consumption was associated with a relative risk of 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.90; p <0.005) for fatal CHD and a relative risk of 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.81 to 0.92; p <0.005) for total CHD. The results indicate that fish consumption is associated with a significantly lower risk of fatal and total CHD. These findings suggest that fish consumption may be an important component of lifestyle modification for the prevention of CHD.

Protective effects of dietary enrichment with docosahexaenoic acid plus protein in 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal injury in the rat.

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004 May;16(5):479-85.

Gomez de Segura IA, Valderrabano S, Vazquez I, Vallejo-Cremades MT, Gomez-Garcia L, Sanchez M, de Miguel E.

Servicio de Cirugia Experimental, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The intestinal side effects of anti-tumoural therapy can be so severe as to preclude its clinical efficacy, although the use of selected nutrients and growth factors may ameliorate the noxious effects. This study examines whether dietary supplementation with the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) potentiates the protective action of growth hormone in the intestine and whether a synergetic effect occurs with dietary protein and DHA enrichment and growth hormone treatment. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups and received a standard diet, or a diet supplemented with protein, or a diet supplemented with DHA, or a diet supplemented with both protein and DHA. Three days later, the rats were given 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and treated with either growth hormone or placebo. A further group of animals fed a standard diet was not treated and served as a control group. Intestinal morphometry, proliferation and apoptosis were determined. RESULTS: Supplementing the diet with DHA prevented the negative action of 5-FU on mucosal morphometry, but protein supplementation was necessary to prevent the increased apoptosis. When growth hormone was also given with the dietary supplementation, the hypoproliferative effect of 5-FU was also prevented. CONCLUSION: Enriching the diet with DHA protects against intestinal lesions produced by the anti-tumoural drug 5-FU but requires the joint administration of supplementary protein and growth hormone to reduce the noxious effects of 5-FU.

Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid in the last trimester of pregnancy: maternal-fetal biochemical findings.

J Perinat Med. 2004;32(2):132-6.

Sanjurjo P, Ruiz-Sanz JI, Jimeno P, Aldamiz-Echevarria L, Aquino L, Matorras R, Esteban J, Banque M.

Unit of Infant Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo, Spain. psanjurjo@hcru.osakidetza.net

The nutritional significance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPS) during the perinatal period is becoming increasingly important. There are currently very few studies on dietary intervention during gestation. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy on levels in both the newborn and the mother. A randomized placebo controlled study was carried out on 20 pregnant women in study group receiving 200 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid-(DHA) during the last trimester of pregnancy. Results in both groups (A supplemented, B non-supplemented) highlighted a decrease in plasma arachidonic acid (5.99 +/- 0.91 vs. 4.51 +/- 0.71 p<0.001 for group A and 5.84 +/- 0.71 vs. 4.80 +/- 0.51 p<0.01 for group B) in the baseline-final intra-group comparison. The intergroup comparison revealed a significant difference in plasma DHA at delivery: it was found to be higher in the population of supplemented pregnant women (3.17 +/- 0.26 vs. 2.77 +/- 0.31). The neonate population displayed no significant differences between the two groups. The results show that LCPS are consumed during the final stages of pregnancy and that oral supplementation with 200 mg/day of DHA is reflected in an increase in the plasma level of this fatty acid in the mother. One could speculate that there would be a corresponding increase in DHA bioavailability for the fetus.

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease.

Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004 Mar;7(2):131-6.

von Schacky C.

Medical Clinic and Policlinic Innenstadt, University of Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, D-80336 Munich, Germany. clemens.vonschacky@med.uni-muenchen.de

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Omega-3 fatty acids are gaining acceptance in the cardiovascular field. The present review describes the most recent studies and developments in the field. RECENT FINDINGS: Marine omega-3 fatty acids, that is eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, prevent fatal myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death by their antiarrhythmic effects and presumably also by their effect on infarct size, the latter mediated by plaque stabilization, improvements in endothelial function and other mechanisms. In contrast, a cardioprotective effect of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid, remains to be clearly demonstrated in adequate intervention trials. Other forms of applications, like parenteral use or other indications, like in the psychiatric field, are currently being actively investigated. SUMMARY: Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, but not alpha-linolenic acid, prevent sudden death and other cardiovascular catastrophies, and have therefore been recently incorporated into the pertinent guidelines of European and American cardiologic societies.

LDL cholesterol-raising effect of low-dose docosahexaenoic acid in middle-aged men and women.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Apr;79(4):558-63.

Theobald HE, Chowienczyk PJ, Whittall R, Humphries SE, Sanders TA.

Nutrition Food and Health Research Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have variable effects on LDL cholesterol, and the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the effect on blood lipids of a daily intake of 0.7 g DHA as triacylglycerol in middle-aged men and women. DESIGN: Men and women aged 40-65 y (n = 38) underwent a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of treatment with 0.7 g DHA/d for 3 mo. RESULTS: DHA supplementation increased the DHA concentration in plasma by 76% (P < 0.0001) and the proportion in erythrocyte lipids by 58% (P < 0.0001). Values for serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and plasma apolipoprotein B concentrations were 4.2% (0.22 mmol/L; P = 0.04), 7.1% (0.23 mmol/L; P = 0.004), and 3.4% (P = 0.03) higher, respectively, with DHA treatment than with placebo. In addition, the LDL cholesterol:apolipoprotein B ratio was 3.1% higher with DHA treatment than with placebo (P = 0.04), which suggested an increase in LDL size. Plasma lathosterol and plant sterol concentrations were unaffected by treatment. CONCLUSION: A daily intake of approximately 0.7 g DHA increases LDL cholesterol by 7% in middle-aged men and women. It is suggested that DHA down-regulates the expression of the LDL receptor.

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease hepatic triglycerides in Fischer 344 rats.

Hepatology. 2004 Mar;39(3):608-16.

Levy JR, Clore JN, Stevens W.

Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center 111-P, 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23249, USA. james.levy@med.va.gov

Dietary fatty acid composition modifies hepatic lipid metabolism. To determine the effects of fatty acids on hepatic triglyceride storage, rats were fed diets enriched in carbohydrates (control), fish oil, or lard. After 4 weeks, the animals were fasted overnight. In the morning, the animals were either sacrificed or fed 8 g of their respective diets before sacrifice. Animals ingested more food calories with diets containing fish oil than with other diets. However, fish oil-fed animals weighed less and had less body fat. In fish oil-fed animals, liver triglyceride was lower by 27% (P <.05) and 73% (P <.01) than in control- and lard-fed animals, respectively. Fish oil altered the postprandial gene expression of hepatic regulators of fatty acid degradation and synthesis. Fish oil feeding blunted the normal postprandial decline in fatty acid degradation genes (PPARalpha, CPT1, and ACO) and blunted the normal postprandial rise in triglyceride synthesis genes (SREBP1-c, FAS, SCD-1). Therefore, the direct postprandial effect of fish oil ingestion decreases the propensity for hepatic triglyceride storage. In conclusion, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease total body weight, total body fat, and hepatic steatosis.

Reduced total energy expenditure and physical activity in cachectic patients with pancreatic cancer can be modulated by an energy and protein dense oral supplement enriched with n-3 fatty acids.

Br J Cancer. 2004 Mar 8;90(5):996-1002.

Moses AW, Slater C, Preston T, Barber MD, Fearon KC.

1Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (Surgery), University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK.

The aim of the study was to assess the total energy expenditure (TEE), resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity level (PAL) in home-living cachectic patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The influence of an energy and protein dense oral supplement either enriched with or without the n-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and administered over an 8-week period was also determined. In total, 24 patients were studied at baseline. The total energy expenditure was measured using doubly labelled water and REE determined by indirect calorimetry. Patients were studied at baseline and then randomised to either oral nutritional supplement. Measurements were repeated at 8 weeks. At baseline, REE was increased compared with predicted values for healthy individuals (1387(42) vs 1268(32) kcal day(-1), P=0.001), but TEE (1732(82) vs 1903(48) kcal day(-1), P=0.023) and PAL (1.24(0.04) vs 1.50) were reduced. After 8 weeks, the REE, TEE and PAL of patients who received the control supplement did not change significantly. In contrast, although REE did not change, TEE and PAL increased significantly in those who received the n-3 (EPA) enriched supplement. In summary, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were hypermetabolic. However, TEE was reduced and this was secondary to a reduction in physical activity. The control energy and protein dense oral supplement did not influence the physical activity component of TEE. In contrast, administration of the supplement enriched with EPA was associated with an increase in physical activity, which may reflect improved quality of life.

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid-containing food administration on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - a placebo-controlled double-blind study.

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Mar;58(3):467-73.

Hirayama S, Hamazaki T, Terasawa K.

Department of Early Childhood Education and Care, Kurashiki City College, Okayama, Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation was able to ameliorate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(AD/HD) symptoms in AD/HD children. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A placebo-controlled double-blind study with 40 AD/HD (including eight AD/HD-suspected) children of 6-12 y of age who were mostly without medication. Subjects of a DHA group (n=20) took active foods containing fish oil (fermented soybean milk, bread rolls and steamed bread; 3.6 g DHA/week from these foods) for 2 months, whereas those of a control group (n=20) took indistinguishable control foods without fish oil. The following items were measured at the start and end of the study: (1) attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity (AD/HD-related symptoms according to DSM-IV criteria); (2) aggression assessed by both parents and teachers; (3) visual perception (finding symbols out of a table); (4) visual and auditory short-term memory; (5) development of visual-motor integration; (6) continuous performance; (7) impatience. RESULTS: Changes in tests 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 over time did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, visual short-term memory and errors of commission (continuous performance) significantly improved in the control group compared with the changes over time in the DHA group (P=0.02 and 0.001, respectively). Recalculation without AD/HD-suspected subjects (n=4 each group) showed similar P-values with regard to both measures. CONCLUSION: DHA supplementation did not improve AD/HD-related symptoms. Treatment of ADHD with fatty acids deserves further investigation, but careful attention should be paid as to which fatty acid(s) is used.

Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first-degree relatives of bipolar patients.

Psychol Med. 2004 Jan;34(1):103-12.

Sobczak S, Honig A, Christophe A, Maes M, Helsdingen RW, De Vriese SA, Riedel WJ.

Institute Brain & Behavior, Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids have been reported in unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. Changes in cholesterol and fatty acids have been suggested to affect membrane viscosity and consequently serotonergic neurotransmitter expression. The goal of this study was to investigate whether lower baseline cholesterol and increased omega-6 and lower omega-3 fatty acids are present in healthy first-degree relatives of bipolar patients compared with controls and whether these changes were associated with neuroendocrine responses to an i.v. tryptophan challenge or mood. METHOD: Baseline cholesterol, fatty acids and mood were determined in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorders (N = 30) and healthy matched controls (N = 15) (parallel-group design). Prolactin and cortisol were measured following tryptophan infusion. RESULTS: First-degree relatives showed significantly lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids. Lower total omega-3 and higher total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids were positively correlated with peak prolactin response to tryptophan. Lower total omega-3 fatty acids in phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were associated with lower mood. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities of lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids in these subjects are in agreement with findings in bipolar and major depressed patients. Changes in fatty acids show an association with central serotonergic parameters. It is suggested that these abnormalities in cholesterol and fatty acids may constitute a trait marker for bipolar disorders.

Daily omega-3 fatty acid intake and depression in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer.

Br J Cancer. 2004 Feb 23;90(4):787-93.

Suzuki S, Akechi T, Kobayashi M, Taniguchi K, Goto K, Sasaki S, Tsugane S, Nishiwaki Y, Miyaoka H, Uchitomi Y.

Psycho-Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan.

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between daily omega-3 fatty acid intake and depression in Japanese cancer patients. Omega-3 fatty acid intake in 771 patients with newly diagnosed primary lung cancer was evaluated using a food-frequency questionnaire, and the prevalence of depression was examined using the cutoff values for the depression subscale included in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the odds ratio (OR) for depression among patients in the highest quartile of the total eicosapentaenoic acid- (C20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n-3)-intake group compared with patients in the lowest quartile was not significantly different. On the other hand, the OR among the highest quartile of alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) intake (adjusted OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.71, P for trend=0.004) and the highest quartile of total omega-3 fatty acid intake (adjusted OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.88, P for trend=0.022) were significantly different. These results suggest that total eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid intake might not be associated with depression in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer, but that alpha-linolenic acid intake and total omega-3 fatty acid intake might be.