Department of Applied Health Sciences, Section of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine, Azienda di Servizi alla Persona di Pavia, University of Pavia Istituto di Cura Santa Margherita, Via Emilia 32, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
J Nutr Health Aging. 2011 Jan;15(1):37-44. doi: 10.1007/s12603-011-0011-y.
Recent observations showed that long chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) could represent a potential treatment for elderly depression. To determine if a n-3 LCPUFA containing supplement improves depressive symptoms, changes phospholipids acids profile and ameliorates Health related quality of life (HRQoL) in depressed elderly patients.
Two-months, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Nursing home in Pavia, Italy.
Forty-six depressed females, aged 66-95 years.
22 depressed females were included in the intervention group (n-3 group, that received 2.5 g/day of n-3 LCPUFA, with 1.67 grams of EPA and 0.83 grams of DHA), and 24 patients in the placebo group. The primary endpoint was the improvement of depressive symptoms as evaluated by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of modifications of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids fatty acid profile and of of HRQoL, by using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). All parameters were assessed before and after the treatment period of 8 weeks.
The mean GDS at 2 months was significantly lowered only for the n-3 group. SF-36 physical and mental components were significantly increased in the intervention group. Compliance was good, as confirmed by erythrocyte membrane phospholipid FA concentrations, with significant increase of EPA and DHA in the intervention group.
The supplementation of n-3 LCPUFA in elderly female patients reduces the occurrence of depressive symptoms, improves phospholipids fatty acids profile and health-related quality of life.
最近的观察结果表明，长链ω-3 多不饱和脂肪酸（n-3 LCPUFA）可能是治疗老年抑郁症的一种潜在方法。为了确定含有 n-3 LCPUFA 的补充剂是否可以改善抑郁症状、改变磷脂酸谱并改善抑郁老年患者的健康相关生活质量（HRQoL）。
为期两个月、随机、双盲、安慰剂对照试验。
意大利帕维亚的养老院。
46 名 66-95 岁的抑郁女性。
22 名抑郁女性被纳入干预组（n-3 组，每天服用 2.5 克 n-3 LCPUFA，其中 EPA 为 1.67 克，DHA 为 0.83 克），24 名患者进入安慰剂组。主要终点是使用老年抑郁量表（GDS）评估抑郁症状的改善。次要终点是评估红细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸谱的变化和 HRQoL，使用简式 36 项健康调查（SF-36）。所有参数在 8 周治疗期前后进行评估。
只有 n-3 组在 2 个月时的平均 GDS 显著降低。干预组的 SF-36 身体和精神成分显著增加。通过红细胞膜磷脂 FA 浓度证实了良好的依从性，干预组 EPA 和 DHA 显著增加。
在老年女性患者中补充 n-3 LCPUFA 可减少抑郁症状的发生，改善磷脂脂肪酸谱和健康相关生活质量。
