The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Thromboxane, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Homocysteine, and Vitamin D in Depressive Children and Adolescents: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

In the DEPOXIN project, we have found that a high ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids (FA) is associated with worsening of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with depressive disorder (DD) and that the 12-week omega-3 FA supplementation modulates DD symptoms. Here we present our results of the secondary outcomes: the levels of thromboxane (TXB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), homocysteine (HCy) and vitamin D. Fifty-eight patients were randomized into two arms. One group received a fish oil emulsion enriched with omega-3 FA, and the other received a sunflower oil emulsion containing omega-6 FA, for 12 weeks. Depressive symptoms were evaluated, using the Child’s Depressive Inventory (CDI). The patients with DD had elevated TXB levels and decreased vitamin D levels, as compared to healthy controls. Both CDI and omega-6/omega-3 ratio correlated positively with TXB and negatively with BDNF at baseline. Compared to the omega-6 FA group, the supplementation with omega-3 FA for 12 weeks significantly reduced plasma TXB (p = 0.024) and increased BDNF (p = 0.011) levels. No changes in HCy and vitamin D were observed. Our results demonstrate the possible role of TXB and BDNF in the pathophysiology of DD and the benefits of omega-3 FA supplementation. The study was registered with the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN81655012).

Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Enzymes in Children and Adolescents with Depressive Disorder and Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Randomised Clinical Trial

“…The effect of omega-3 FA on the severity of depression (determined by the CDI score) and the omega-6/omega-3 FA ratio has been reported in our previous study [24]. In our recent work [26], we found increased levels of thromboxane in our cohort of depressed patients compared to a healthy control group, which correlated positively with the CDI score. Platelet activation may contribute to oxidative stress [35], which is in line with our results findings.…”

“…Detailed baseline characteristics, e.g., age, weight, height and BMI (kg/m 2 ) of the patients with depressive disorder and healthy controls have been published [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], and the data are included in Supplementary Table S1 .…”

“…A detailed description of the study design, enrolment of patients and their treatments were given in previous publications from the DEPOXIN project [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…The primary outcomes evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the severity of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents [ 24 ]. The secondary outcomes, in addition to those presented in this work, included monitoring of the omega-6/omega-3 FAs ratio [ 24 ], lipid parameters [ 25 ] and indirect markers of inflammation, such as thromboxane B, homocysteine or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vitamin D [ 26 ] in relation to depression severity and the possible effect of omega-3 FA intervention.…”

Stress Hormones Cortisol and Aldosterone, and Selected Markers of Oxidative Stress in Response to Long-Term Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Adolescent Children with Depression

“…The results of salivary hormone concentrations presented in this work are part of the DEPOXIN project (ISRCTN81655012). A detailed description of the study design, enrolment of patients, and their treatments as well as previous results were presented in recent publications [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”