No abstract

Background/Aims: Low intake or tissue levels of n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been associated with an increased risk of depression, but some studies do not support the association. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the hypothesis that erythrocyte levels of n–3 PUFA and intake of seafood are negatively associated with the risk of depression in Koreans. Methods: We investigated 80 patients diagnosed with a score ≥25 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Korean version, and confirmed by a psychiatrist. Eighty-eight controls without a chronic disease were matched to the cases for age and sex. Results: Multivariate-adjusted regression analysis showed that the risk of depression was significantly and negatively associated with erythrocyte levels of 20:5 n–3, 22:6 n–3, 16:0 and 18:0, but positively associated with erythrocyte levels of 18:2t and 16:1 after adjusting for confounding factors. In addition, the risk of depression was negatively associated with the intake of energy, carbohydrate, seafood and grains, but positively with the intake of fat and meat after adjustment for confounding factors. Conclusions: The risk of depression could be decreased with increased erythrocyte levels of n–3 PUFA and saturated fatty acids, as well as seafood intake, but decreased erythrocyte levels of trans fatty acids in Koreans.