Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory markers in major depressive episodes during pregnancy.

摘要: Abstract Introduction Prenatal depression (PND) is a common psychiatric disorder in pregnant women and leads to psychosocial dysfunction, high suicidal rate, adverse childcare. Patients with PND have omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 or n-3 PUFAs) deficits, which might link chronic low-grade inflammatory process the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression. In this case-control study, we examined levels PUFAs cytokines PND. Method Blood samples were obtained analyzed from 16 healthy controls 17 depressed cases (PND group) diagnosed Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Independent sample t -test correlation analysis performed Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) logistics analysis. Results group had significantly lower total (p = 0.026), docosahexaenoic (DHA) (p = 0.020) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) (p = 0.019) but higher omega-6 (n-6)/n-3 ratio (p = 0.007) tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p = 0.016) level. Moreover, duration current episodes also correlated DHA, EPA, PUFAs, n-6/n-3 TNF-α. terms cytokine levels, only DHA was inversely Conclusion associated an increased ratio, while including EPA. The TNF-α level grant further investigation into underlying PND, mediated by PUFAs.