No Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on Kynurenine Pathway, Inflammation, Depressive Symptoms, and Stress Response in Males: A Placebo-Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Increased inflammation and heightened physiological stress reactivity have been associated with pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. The underlying biological mechanisms by which inflammation and stress may influence neurogenesis are changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, which is activated under stress. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) has anti-inflammatory properties and can increase stress resilience. Whether n-3 PUFAs alter KYN stress response is unknown. Objectives: This placebo-controlled study investigated the effect of n-3 PUFAs on KYN metabolism, inflammation, depressive symptoms, and mood. Moreover, stress-induced changes following a laboratory stressor have been assessed. Methods: In this placebo-controlled study, 47 healthy male adults received either 4 g n-3 PUFAs per day (Omega-3 group) or a placebo (Placebo group) for 12 weeks. Results: A significant group-by-time interaction was found for the inflammatory markers gp130 (F = 7.07, p = 0.011), IL-6R alpha (F = 10.33, p = 0.003), and TNF_RI (F= 10.92, p = 0.002). No significant group-by-time interactions were found for KYN metabolites, depressive symptoms, and mood (except for Hedonic tone (F = 6.50, p = 0.014)), nor for stress-induced changes in KYN metabolites and mood following a laboratory stressor. Conclusions: Overall, increased n-3 PUFA levels in healthy men ameliorate inflammatory markers but do not ameliorate KYN metabolism, depressive symptoms, mood, or…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 47 participants or records.
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