"Nature" sub-issue: Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce depression

On June 16, researchers from the Mozley Biomedical Research Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIHR) published a study in a sub-Journal of Nature, which evaluated the effects of high-dose EPA and DHA on laboratory-grown neurons and patients with depression To help clarify how these substances reduce inflammation and prevent depression

Alessandra Borsini et al.

In the two groups of patients, the EPA or DHA treatment group was associated with an increase in its metabolites and a significant improvement in depressive symptoms.

In patients with major depression with immune disorders, unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) protect neurons from inflammation

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are metabolized by cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes into a series of lipid mediators, showing strong immunomodulatory activity (see Figure a)

The synthesis pathway of ω-3 PUFAs enzyme and the experimental schedule of ω-3 PUFAs and derived lipid vehicles

Specifically, EPA prevents the reduction of nerve formation (Map2+ cells) in the presence of IL1β and IFN-α inflammatory cytokines, while DHA acts on nerves in the presence of three inflammatory cytokines

As an anti-inflammatory agent, EPA can inhibit the mechanism related to the innate immune response, thereby exerting its anti-apoptotic properties

The functions of EPA and DHA are stored in the cell membrane.

In summary, the study confirmed and expanded the evidence on the antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective capabilities of EPA and DHA , and determined LOX-derived 5-HEPE and 4-HDHA and CYP450-derived 18-HEPE, 20-HDHA, 17( 18)-EpETE and 19(20)-EpDPA are the mediators of the effect of omega-3 PUFAs, further confirming that these metabolites are increased in the plasma of patients receiving EPA or DHA for depression (while depressive symptoms are improved)

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