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Zhou L, Xiong JY, Chai YQ, Huang L, Tang ZY, Zhang XF, Liu B, Zhang JT. Possible antidepressant mechanisms of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids acting on the central nervous system. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:933704. [PMID: 36117650 PMCID: PMC9473681 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can play important roles in maintaining mental health and resistance to stress, and omega-3 PUFAs supplementation can display beneficial effects on both the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders. Although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, accumulated evidence indicates that omega-3 PUFAs can exhibit pleiotropic effects on the neural structure and function. Thus, they play fundamental roles in brain activities involved in the mood regulation. Since depressive symptoms have been assumed to be of central origin, this review aims to summarize the recently published studies to identify the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of omega-3 PUFAs. These include that of (1) anti-neuroinflammatory; (2) hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; (3) anti-oxidative stress; (4) anti-neurodegeneration; (5) neuroplasticity and synaptic plasticity; and (6) modulation of neurotransmitter systems. Despite many lines of evidence have hinted that these mechanisms may co-exist and work in concert to produce anti-depressive effects, the potentially multiple sites of action of omega-3 PUFAs need to be fully established. We also discussed the limitations of current studies and suggest future directions for preclinical and translational research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Zhou
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China.,Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jia-Yao Xiong
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yu-Qian Chai
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China.,Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zi-Yang Tang
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China.,Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xin-Feng Zhang
- Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jun-Tao Zhang
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou, China.,Mental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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