Epidemiological studies suggest that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 FA) deficiency is a risk factor for bipolar disorders (BDs). The aim of this study was to determine whether such a deficit does exist in patients with BD and to characterize the overall plasma fatty acid (FA) profile in these patients. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we measured fasting plasma levels of 15 FAs in 42 patients diagnosed with BD according to DSM-IV criteria and in 57 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were significantly decreased in bipolar patients (p < 0.001 versus healthy controls). Compared with controls, patients had higher plasma levels of all other FAs, including arachidonic acid (AA, p < 0.001), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, p < 0.001), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (p < 0.001). Although in the present study we observed significant DHA deficits in the plasma of bipolar patients our findings do not support the therapeutic use of ALA and/or EPA supplementation. DHA may provide a basis for possible pharmacological intervention in psychiatric disorders at the level of second messengers linked to the phosphatidylinositol cycle. Finally, measurement of FA levels in plasma seems to be more reliable and reproducible than assays of erythrocyte FA content. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids in bipolar patients: Deficit restricted to DHA / Massimiliano, Pomponi; Luigi, Janiri; LA TORRE, Giuseppe; Enrico Di, Stasio; Marco Di, Nicola; Marianna, Mazza; Giovanni, Martinotti; Pietro, Bria; Silvio, Lippa; Renato, Natili; Massimo F. L., Pomponi. - In: JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH. - ISSN 0022-3956. - STAMPA. - 47:3(2013), pp. 337-342. [10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.004]

Plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids in bipolar patients: Deficit restricted to DHA

LA TORRE, Giuseppe;
2013

Abstract

Epidemiological studies suggest that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 FA) deficiency is a risk factor for bipolar disorders (BDs). The aim of this study was to determine whether such a deficit does exist in patients with BD and to characterize the overall plasma fatty acid (FA) profile in these patients. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we measured fasting plasma levels of 15 FAs in 42 patients diagnosed with BD according to DSM-IV criteria and in 57 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were significantly decreased in bipolar patients (p < 0.001 versus healthy controls). Compared with controls, patients had higher plasma levels of all other FAs, including arachidonic acid (AA, p < 0.001), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, p < 0.001), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (p < 0.001). Although in the present study we observed significant DHA deficits in the plasma of bipolar patients our findings do not support the therapeutic use of ALA and/or EPA supplementation. DHA may provide a basis for possible pharmacological intervention in psychiatric disorders at the level of second messengers linked to the phosphatidylinositol cycle. Finally, measurement of FA levels in plasma seems to be more reliable and reproducible than assays of erythrocyte FA content. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2013
docosahexaenoic acid; bipolar; treatment; plasma free fatty acid profile
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids in bipolar patients: Deficit restricted to DHA / Massimiliano, Pomponi; Luigi, Janiri; LA TORRE, Giuseppe; Enrico Di, Stasio; Marco Di, Nicola; Marianna, Mazza; Giovanni, Martinotti; Pietro, Bria; Silvio, Lippa; Renato, Natili; Massimo F. L., Pomponi. - In: JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH. - ISSN 0022-3956. - STAMPA. - 47:3(2013), pp. 337-342. [10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.004]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/698258
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