Psychiatric disorders are a significant source of disability worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that disturbances of fatty acids and phospholipid metabolism can play a part in a wide range of psychiatric, neurological, and developmental disorders in adults. Essential fatty acids, ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, play a central role in the normal development and functioning of the brain and central nervous system. The aim of this article is to discuss the overall insight into roles of essential fatty acids in the development of mental disorders (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and, in light of the fact that disturbances of fatty acid metabolism can play a part in the above-mentioned disorders, to investigate the current knowledge of lipid abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder. The information in this review was obtained after extensive MEDLINE searching of each topic area through relevant published studies from the past 20 years. References from the obtained studies were also used. This review summarizes the knowledge in terms of essential fatty acids intake and metabolism, as well as evidence pointing to potential mechanisms of essential fatty acids in normal brain functioning and development of neuropsychiatric disorders. The literature shows that ω-3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits and that changes in their concentration in organisms are connected to a variety of psychiatric symptoms and disorders, including stress, anxiety, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Further studies are necessary to confirm ω-3 fatty acids' supplementation as a potential rational treatment in psychiatric disorders.

Background: The aim of this study was to measure the parameters of oxidative stress in the blood of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Methods: The study included 80 male war veterans who participated actively in the Homeland war in Croatia. Volunteers were divided into two groups: 50 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and 30 without diagnosis. The self-assessment Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to detect the severity of depression and anxiety in the post-traumatic stress disorder patients. Catalytic concentrations of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes and the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Although the catalytic concentrations of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase were within the reference range for both groups, the values obtained for the post-traumatic stress disorder group were significantly lower (P < 0.001). For serum malondialdehyde concentrations, no statistically significant differences between the groups were found. Conclusions: Lower catalytic concentrations of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder may indicate a weaker response to oxidative stress due to impaired enzyme activity and/or decreased synthesis. Conversely, no significant changes in serum malondialdehyde concentrations suggest a compensated balance and adaptive response to (oxidative) stress.

During the last decades organ transplantation has evolved into a proven therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, the long-term success of organ transplantation depends significantly on the patients’ ability to overcome possible postoperative complications and to recover from a severe metabolic imbalance. Therefore, in the present study we assessed the accuracy of the early post-operative nutritional intake in a vulnerable group of patients after organ transplantation and compared it with the calculated minimal nutritional requirements. A number of 61 patients were included in the study, 48 with liver, 11 with kidney, and two patients with both, liver and kidney transplants. Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) was applied and total nutritional intake was recorded for fourteen consecutive post-transplant days. Serum concentrations of proteins, urea and creatinine, as well as catalytic concentrations of liver enzymes were measured. Urea to creatinine ratio was calculated. According to body mass index (BMI) only a few patients were malnourished, but low serum protein levels indicated a significant protein catabolism. Nutritional requirements were provided mainly by glucose, with low amounts of proteins, i.e. amino acids, and fats. It took more than seven days to reach the appropriate nutritional intake. Because of the intensive catabolism, especially of proteins, nutrition of organ transplant recipients requires permanent monitoring and better nutritional support through formulas for enteral and total parenteral nutrition.