S-adenosyl-l-methionine in Sjögren's syndrome and fibromyalgia

Efficacy of the dietary supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine

OBJECTIVE

To review existing published clinical evidence surrounding the dietary supplement SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine).

DATA SOURCES

The majority of information was obtained from primary published literature identified through MEDLINE search (1966-February 2001). Information was also obtained through secondary and tertiary sources when available.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All articles identified from data sources were evaluated and all relevant information included in this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The majority of clinical trial evidence surrounds the application of SAMe for various depressive disorders, osteoarthrits, and fibromyalgia. Sample sizes of these trials and the dose employed have varied considerably. Several reviews and at least two meta-analyses have examined the available evidence surrounding SAMe in the therapy of depression for trials completed prior to 1994 and concluded that SAMe was superior to placebo in treating depressive disorders and approximately as effective as standard tricyclic antidepressants. Much of this information exists in the form of isolated case reports or solitary clinical trials. SAMe appears to be well tolerated, with the majority of adverse effects presenting as mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints. However, it is apparent that this agent is not without risk of more significant psychiatric and cardiovascular adverse events. Information documenting drug or food interactions with SAMe is very limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumers should be instructed to avoid unmonitored consumption of this dietary supplement until sufficient discussion has taken place with their primary healthcare provider. Although there exists significant potential for therapeutic application of SAMe, its uncertain risk profile precludes definitive recommendation at this time. Healthcare providers and consumers should likely temper their enthusiasm for this dietary supplement until sufficient information becomes available.

Herbs and nutrients in the treatment of depression, anxiety, insomnia, migraine, and obesity

Although a multitude of pharmaceutical agents are available for the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety and insomnia, many patients have difficulty tolerating the side effects, do not respond adequately, or eventually lose their response. Many therapeutic herbs and nutrients have far fewer side effects and may provide an alternative treatment or can be used to enhance the effect of prescription medications. In the article, the authors review the quality of the evidence supporting the clinical effects of a number of commonly used types of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) for mood disorders, anxiety, and insomnia. They review data on the use of St. John's Wort, S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e), B vitamins, inositol, omega-3 fatty acids, and choline for mood disorders; data on the use of kava and other herbal agents and fish extract for anxiety and insomnia; and data on valerian and melatonin for insomnia. The authors also discuss the use of CAM to treat migraines, which may be comorbid with mood and anxiety disorders, and obesity, which can occur as a side effect of psychotropic medications. They consider the data on feverfew and butterbur for migraines and on chromium picolinate and the combination of ephedrine and caffeine for obesity. The authors also review issues related to comorbid medical illness, side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and brand selection.

A meta-analysis of fibromyalgia treatment interventions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

METHODS

This meta-analysis of 49 fibromyalgia treatment outcome studies assessed the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment across four types of outcome measures-physical status, self-report of FMS symptoms, psychological status, and daily functioning.

RESULTS

After controlling for study design, antidepressants resulted in improvements on physical status and self-report of FMS symptoms. All nonpharmacological treatments were associated with significant improvements in all four categories of outcome measures with the exception that physically-based treatment (primarily exercise) did not significantly improve daily functioning. When compared, nonpharmacological treatment appears to be more efficacious in improving self-report of FMS symptoms than pharmacological treatment alone. A similar trend was suggested for functional measures.

CONCLUSION

The optimal intervention for FMS would include nonpharmacological treatments, specifically exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy, in addition to appropriate medication management as needed for sleep and pain symptoms.

Methionine enhances alcohol-induced narcosis in mice

Methionine is an essential amino acid that has been used as a therapeutic drug in some disorders. In this study we questioned whether methionine affects ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex (narcosis). One hour after IP methionine administration (60, 120, 240, 480, 720, 960, and 1280 mg/kg), mice were injected with ethanol (4.0 g/kg), and the duration of loss of righting reflex was recorded. Methionine, at the higher doses (960 and 1280 mg/ kg), significantly increased this effect on ethanol-treated animals. A time-course study revealed that methionine increased the duration of the loss of righting reflex induced by ethanol until 4 h after being injected. Because methionine did not affect blood ethanol levels, no change in peripheral alcohol can explain the observed effects. This potentiation was not specific for ethanol because methionine increased 3-methyl-1-butanol (0.6 g/kg) and 1-propanol (2.4 g/kg)-induced loss of righting reflex as well. Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggest the need for further investigation into methionine-ethanol interactions prior to the use of methionine as an agent that can be used as an antidepressant and to prevent damage to organic tissue in alcoholism.