Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A (2019)

Background and Objective: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial psychiatric condition often linked to biochemical and nutritional imbalances. Fatty acids, particularly Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), play a critical role in brain structure and function. Emerging evidence suggests that altered fatty acid profiles may contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. The objective of this study was to compare the serum fatty acid profiles in patients diagnosed with depression to those of healthy controls, to evaluate potential correlations with the severity of depressive symptoms.

Material and Methods: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based on DSM-5 criteria and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled from a tertiary care hospital. This study was conducted at the department of Biochemistry, Madha Medical College and Research Institute, Kundrathur Main Road, Kovur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from April 2018 to March 2019. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for fatty acid composition using gas chromatography. Depression severity was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Statistical analysis included independent t-tests and Pearson correlation to determine significant differences and associations between fatty acid levels and depression scores.

Results: Depressed patients showed significantly lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), compared to controls (p<0.01). The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was significantly higher in the depression group (p<0.01), indicating an imbalance. Saturated fatty acids were moderately elevated in the MDD group, but not statistically significant (p = 0.08). A negative correlation was observed between EPA/DHA levels and HAM-D scores (r = -0.45, p<0.01), suggesting a potential protective effect of omega-3s against depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: Patients with depression exhibit a distinct fatty acid profile characterized by lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids and an increased omega-6/omega-3 ratio. These findings support the hypothesis that lipid metabolism disturbances may play a role in the etiology of depression. Incorporating nutritional strategies, including omega-3 supplementation, could represent a promising adjunctive approach in the management of depressive disorders.