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Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and... May 2023The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic- (EPA), docosahexaenoic- (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) are promising therapeutic options in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on reducing anxiety and/or depression in adults; A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic- (EPA), docosahexaenoic- (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) are promising therapeutic options in reducing the severity of anxious and depressive symptoms. However, meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) yield mixed findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis reviewed the evidence and assessed the efficacy of EPA, DHA and DPAn-3 in reducing the severity of anxiety and depression with specific consideration to methodological complications unique to the field e.g., dose and ratio of omega-3 PUFAs and placebo composition. Random-effects meta-analysis of ten RCTs comprising 1426 participants revealed statistically significant reduction in depression severity with EPA-enriched interventions at proportions ≥ 60% of total EPA + DHA (SMD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.05; p = 0.02) (I = 86%) and EPA doses between ≥ 1 g/day and < 2 g/day (SMD: -0.43; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.07; p = 0.02) (I = 88%); however, EPA doses ≥ 2 g/day were not associated with significant therapeutic effects (SMD: -0.20; 95% CI: -0.48, 0.07; p = 0.14). Only one study reported significant reduction in anxiety severity with 2.1 g/day EPA (85.6% of total EPA + DHA), therefore meta-analysis was not possible. No trials administering DPAn-3 were identified. Visual examination of the funnel plot revealed asymmetry, suggesting publication bias and heterogeneity amongst the trials. These results support the therapeutic potential of EPA in depression at proportions ≥ 60% of total EPA + DHA and doses ≥ 1 g/day and < 2 g/day. The observed publication bias and heterogeneity amongst the trials reflect the need for more high-quality trials in this area with consideration to the unique nature of omega-3 PUFAs research, to more fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of EPA, DHA and DPAn-3.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Depression; Treatment Outcome; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Anxiety; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37028202
DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2023.102572 -
Nutrients Feb 2023Increasingly, studies have discovered that different fatty acids (Fas) are linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Increasingly, studies have discovered that different fatty acids (Fas) are linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.
METHODS
We systematically searched Embase and Medline databases to identify eligible studies that examined the associations of different types of Fas with CRC risk. The effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the study findings.
RESULTS
This study evaluated the associations of 28 dietary and 18 blood Fas with CRC risk by summarizing the most updated evidence from 54 observational and four Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies. The present findings suggested that high dietary intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) are related to low risk of CRC, while the -6/-3 PUFA ratio and trans-FA are related to high risk of CRC. The summary of all cohort studies found that a high intake of SFA and DHA was a protective factor for CRC, and a high intake of the -6/-3 PUFA ratio was a risk factor for CRC. In the subgroup analysis of cancer subsites, we found that the dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA) and trans-FA are risk factors, while DPA is a protective factor for colon cancer. High dietary DHA intake was associated with a lower risk of rectal cancer, while the dietary -6/-3 PUFA ratio was associated with a higher risk of rectal cancer. Meta-analysis of blood FA levels showed a significant reverse association between blood pentadecanoic acid and CRC risk, whilst other blood Fas showed no significant association with CRC risk. All included MR studies showed that high plasma arachidonic acid (AA) is associated with increased CRC risk.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence on the dietary intake and blood levels of Fas in relation to CRC risk is less consistent. Future studies are needed to investigate how the metabolism of Fas contributes to CRC development.
Topics: Humans; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Eating; Risk Factors; Colorectal Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 36771436
DOI: 10.3390/nu15030730 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022The associations of fetal fatty acids status to immune-related health parameters later in life are unclear. Our aim is to collect all available information on the... (Review)
Review
The associations of fetal fatty acids status to immune-related health parameters later in life are unclear. Our aim is to collect all available information on the relationship between fatty acid status at birth and allergy in childhood. Systematic literature search was performed on Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The search retrieved 897 articles without duplicates; 14 articles remained after excluding those that did not fit into our inclusion criteria. When the dichotomous parameter of suffering or not from allergic condition in childhood was analyzed, cord blood eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) values proved to be significantly lower in allergic than non-allergic children in four comparisons from three studies. When the linear parameters of odds ratios and relative risks for allergy were taken into consideration, high cord blood EPA, but also high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and high total n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid values were associated to clinically relevant reduction (at least 38%) in eight comparisons from five studies. Within the cord blood samples, higher EPA, docosapentaenoic acid, and DHA values were significantly and negatively associated in eight correlation analyses from three studies with laboratory parameters considered to reflect allergic trait. The data reported here may provide information for defining optimal fatty acid intakes for pregnant women.
PubMed: 35455017
DOI: 10.3390/life12040526 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2024Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal stage of dementia. In this stage, reasonable intervention measures can help to delay the decline of cognitive function.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal stage of dementia. In this stage, reasonable intervention measures can help to delay the decline of cognitive function. Supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) may be beneficial to delay the decline of cognitive function in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) or/and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplements in the elderly with MCI.
METHODS
Eight electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, VIP, SinoMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG DATA, were searched for related articles from inception until January 2022. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to detect confounding variables. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 statistics. Publication bias was detected using funnel plots. Stata12.0 was used for Begg's and Egger's test to quantify whether publication bias. Linear relationship between global cognition and covariates was examined in meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
Twelve studies (n = 1,124) were included. The methodological quality of research is mostly medium. Compared with placebo, n-3PUFAs supplements have benefits on global cognition [SMD = 0.51, 95% CI(0.12, 0.91), p = 0.01]. No significant differences were observed between intervention group and placebo on language fluency, executive functions, and depression.
CONCLUSION
Our findings indicated DHA and/or EPA supplements have benefits on global cognition, and it may also reduce the level of blood amyloid-β (Aβ)-related biomarkers (e.g., Aβ40, Aβ42) and inflammatory factors (e.g., 1L-6, 1L-10). Since there are only two relative articles, more research is needed in the future to clarify the relationship.
Topics: Humans; Cognitive Dysfunction; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Dietary Supplements; Aged; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
PubMed: 36776054
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220863