Changes in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids during a clinical trial of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation in schizophrenia
Date
2009
Authors
Van Rensburg, S. J.
Smuts, C. M.
Hon, D.
Kidd, M.
Van Der Merwe, S.
Myburgh, C.
Oosthuizen, P.
Emsley, R.
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Abstract
In a previously reported double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as supplemental treatment in 40 patients with schizophrenia, we found significant improvement in symptoms as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) compared to placebo (Emsley et al. 2002). Here we report changes in fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes in the same sample (n∈=∈16 in each group). After 12 weeks of receiving EPA, levels of several saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly while levels of n-3 fatty acids increased significantly compared to the placebo group. Increases of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in the erythrocyte membranes were greater in subjects who improved more than 20% on overall symptoms. Changes in fatty acids correlated significantly with improvement in PANSS sub-scale scores, more so in females than in males. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6n-3) levels increased less than expected, suggesting a possible defect in synthesis or incorporation of DHA into membranes in schizophrenia. Improvement in dyskinesia correlated significantly with an increase in alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3; p∈=∈0.03), and a decrease in 20:1n-9 (p∈=∈0.005). © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Description
Keywords
docosahexaenoic acid, fatty acid, icosapentaenoic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, omega 3 fatty acid, omega 6 fatty acid, placebo, saturated fatty acid, adult, article, clinical article, clinical trial, controlled clinical trial, controlled study, correlation analysis, diet supplementation, double blind procedure, dyskinesia, erythrocyte membrane, extrapyramidal symptom, fatty acid analysis, female, human, male, mental disease, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, randomized controlled trial, schizophrenia, scoring system, sex difference, single blind procedure, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, alpha-Linolenic Acid, Dietary Supplements, Disability Evaluation, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Dyskinesias, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Erythrocytes, Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated, Female, Humans, Male, Membrane Lipids, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Schizophrenia, Treatment Outcome, Up-Regulation, Young Adult
Citation
Metabolic Brain Disease
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