Clinical response to EPA supplementation in patients with major depressive disorder is associated with higher plasma concentrations of pro-resolving lipid mediators

Abstract

Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Activating the resolution of inflammation through ω-3 fatty acid supplementation may prove to be a successful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MDD. Patients with MDD, body mass index >25 kg/m2, and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥3 μg/mL (n = 61) were enrolled in a 12-week randomized trial consisting of 4 parallel arms: EPA 1, 2, and 4 g/d, and placebo. The supplement contained EPA and DHA in a 3.9:1 ratio. Depression symptoms were assessed using the IDS-C30 scale. Plasma fatty acids and pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) were measured in 42 study completers at baseline and at the end of treatment by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The response rate (≥50% reduction in IDS-30 score) was higher in the 4 g/d EPA arm than placebo (Cohen d = 0.53). In the 4 g/d EPA arm, responders had significantly greater increases in 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE) and 13-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (13-HDHA) than non-responders (p < 0.05). Within the 4 g/d EPA arm, the increase in 18-HEPE was significantly associated with reductions in plasma hs-CRP concentrations (p < 0.05) and IDS-C30 scores (p < 0.01). In summary, response rates were greater among patients with MDD randomized to EPA 4 g/d supplementation and in those who showed a greater ability to activate the synthesis of 18-HEPE. The inverse association of 18-HEPE with both systemic inflammation and symptoms of depression highlights the activation of the resolution of inflammation as a likely mechanism in the treatment of MDD with ω-3 fatty acid supplementation.

The missing hallmark of health: psychosocial adaptation

“…Anti-TNFα-based treatments mitigate depressive symptoms in rheumatic diseases patients [ 89 ]. Likewise, intracerebroventricular infusions of anti-TNFα antibody or several resolvins produce antidepressant-like effects in rodent models [ 90 ], while in MDD patients, oral supplementation with the ω-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid induces clinical responses associated with elevated plasma concentrations of pro-resolving lipid mediators [ 91 ]. These findings support the possibility to intervene on neuroinflammation in mental disorders.…”

Lipids in major depressive disorder: new kids on the block or old friends revisited?

“…Strikingly, these findings could be replicated in a clinical study of 22 MDD patients, demonstrating associations between LOX and CYP450 metabolites and depressive symptom severity ( 131 ). Building further on this idea, pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) could mediate the reduction of inflammation that is induced by the increase in PUFAs ( 132 ). In short, SPMs are lipid mediators that are mainly derived from the conversion of n-3 fatty acids EPA, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) via cyclooxygenase and LOX and are known to mediate the resolution of inflammation ( 133 , 134 ).…”

Personalized Medicine of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Depression Treatment in Obese and Metabolically Dysregulated Patients

“…It is noteworthy that a greater dosage of at least 60% EPA in the intervention group increases the likelihood of achieving a positive antidepressant response [ 97 ]. The effectiveness of EPA supplementation appears to be higher when taken at a dosage of 4 g/day [ 26 , 98 ]. Additionally, Tu et al investigated the efficacy of EPA and DHA using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), observing elevated brain activity in emotion perception and cognitive control regions [ 99 ].…”