Depressive patients have lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in Red Blood Cell Membranes

Article: Depletion of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels in Red Blood Cell Membranes of Depressive Patients
Authors: Malcolm Peet, Brendan Murphy, Janet Shay, and David Horrobin
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247120007_Depletion_of_Omega3_Fatty_Acid_Levels_in_Red_Blood_Cell_Membranes_of_Depressive_Patients

This article is about the hypothesis that depletion of cell membrane n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly docosahexanoic acid (DHA), may be a key factor in depression. The researchers measured the fatty acid composition of phospholipid in cell membranes from red blood cells (RBC) of 15 depressive patients and 15 healthy control patients. The results were that depressive patients showed a deplation of n3 PUFA and DHA. The conclusions suggest that RBC membranes in depressive patients show evidence of oxidative damage.
Depression has increased rapidly during this century. It is likely that people have been taking in more saturated fatty acids and less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and the balance of PUFA is shifted toward more n6 and less n3.
Maes et al 1996 research showed that depressive patients had a decrease in total n3 fatty acids and also reduced 18:3n3 and 20:5n3 in serum cholesteryl esters in major depressed patients.
This study also shows that depression is linked with the balance of RBC membrane PUFA has shifted such that the arachidonic acid (AA) to DHA ratio is increased. Similar to the changes in plasma phospholipid composition in depressive patients (Maes and Adams). Structural abnormalities of erythroctye membranes have also been reported in depressive patients. Pettegrew at al 1993 research found a significant increase of molecular motion in the phospholipid head group and hydrocarbon core areas of RBC membranes in depressive patients. This could be linked to enzymatic defects in the membrane.
Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, can lower stress hormone production and maintain levels of brain anti-depressant chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Omega-3 deficiencies in the central nervous system can lead to physiological and structural changes to brain cells. This leads to alteration in mood-regulation serotonin and dopamine levels. Since Omega-3 fatty acids hep maintain the structure of the membrane, the depletion of these fatty acids leads to the nerve cell to be less fluid and blocks regular chemical communication, transport and reception of mood regulating chemicals.