Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB p56 in lungs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

AIM To determine the effects of ω-3 fatty acids(ω-3FA) on the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor κB p56(NF-κBp56) signal pathway in the lungs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).METHODS A total of 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, SAP-saline group, SAP-soybean oil group and SAP-ω-3FA group. SAP was induced by the retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp56 in the lungs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the lungs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp56 in lungs and of inflammatory cytokines in serum significantly increased in the SAP group compared with the control group(P < 0.05), but was significantly decreased in the ω-3FA group compared with the soybean oil group at 12 and 24 h(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION During the initial stage of SAP, ω-3FA can efficiently lower the inflammatory response and reduce lung injury by triggering the TLR4/NF-κBp56 signal pathway.

Effect of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid on Toll-like Receptors in Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma

This study examined the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid（ω-3PUFA） on the expression of toll-like receptor 2（TLR2）,toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） and some related inflammatory factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMCs） of patients with early-stage severe multiple trauma.Thirty-two patients who were admitted to the Department of Traumatic Surgery,Tongji Hospital（Wuhan,China） between May 2010 and November 2010,and diagnosed as having severe multiple trauma with a injury severity score（ISS） no less than 16,were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups at random（n=16 in each）：ω-3PUFA group and control group in which routine parenteral nutrition supplemented with ω-3PUFA or not was administered to the patients in two groups for consecutive 7 days.Peripheral blood from these patients was collected within 2 h of admission（day 0）,and 1,3,5 and 7 days after the nutritional support.PBMCs were isolated and used for detection of the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by using real-time PCR and flow cytometry respectively,the levels of NF-κB by quantum dots-based immunofluorescence assay,the levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 by ELISA,respectively.The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMCs was significantly lower in ω-3PUFA group than in control group 5 and 7 days after nutrition support（both P0.05）.The levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 were found to be substantially decreased in PBMCs in ω-3PUFA group as compared with control group at 5th and 7th day（P0.05 for all）.It was concluded that ω-3PUFA can remarkably decrease the expression of TLR2,TLR4 and some related inflammatory factors in NF-κB signaling pathway in PBMCs of patients with severe multiple trauma,which suggests that ω-3PUFA may suppress the excessive inflammatory response meditated by the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Synthesis of (2S,4S)-2-Substituted-3- (3-Sulfanylpropanoyl)-6- Oxohexahydropyrimidine-4-Carboxylic Acids as Potential Antihypertensive Drugs

Proceeding from natural amino acid L-asparagine and commercially available aldehydes a stereoselective synthesis was developed of (2S,4S)-2-alkyl(aryl)-3-(3-sulfanylpropanoyl)-6-oxohexahy- dropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acids, potential antihypertensive drugs, inhibitors of the angiotensin converting enzyme.

A Diet with 3% of Energy from a Mixture of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Significantly Increases in Vivo Lipid Peroxidation in Postmenopausal Women

Dietary omega-3 (n - 3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are recommended by public health organizations to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and several epidemiological studies have suggested there is an inverse association between n - 3 intake and human cancers. However, n - 3 are susceptible to an increase in lipid peroxidation in the human body. As part of a crossover dietary intervention study of a diet (20% of energy from fat) with or without an additional 3% of energy from a mixture of n - 3 (with 5.36 g α-linolenic acid and 1.45 g eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid per 2000 kcal per day), we measured total in vivo lipid peroxidation in healthy postmenopausal women (n = 15). Our results indicated that the diet with 3% of energy from n - 3 significantly increased the urinary concentrations of total polar lipophilic aldehydes and related compounds produced via lipid peroxidation (p α, β-unsaturated hydroxy aldehydes 4-hydroxy-2-trans - hexenal (p trans -decenal (p < 0.05) compared to the diet with less than 1% of energy from n - 3. This is also the first study to document the presence of 4-hydroxy-2-trans -decenal in the urine of individuals consuming n - 3. These results demonstrate that an increase in 3% of energy from dietary n – 3 increases in vivo lipid peroxidation.

Transgenic Pigs Carrying a Synthesized Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene Yield High Level of ω-3 PUFAs

Polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs） are essential for normal growth in mammals, especially the ω-3 PUFAs, which play important roles in preventing several life-threatening diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the sFat-1 gene from Caenorhabditis briggsae could be functionally expressed in transgenic pigs, and whether the transgenic could synthesize high quality ω-3 PUFAs endogenously. In this study, a gene construct consisting of CMV promoter and 1.9 kb cDNA of ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene （sFat-1） from C. briggsae was injected into the male pronucleus of pig embryos by microinjection. The piglets were screened for the transgene by PCR, Southern blot and reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Pigs that give positive results were mated with wild-type pigs to produce the next generation and the transmission of transgene was examined by PCR analysis. Fatty acids compositions of various tissues in the transgenic pigs were then analyzed by gas chromatograph. A total of 878 embryos were transferred into 42 recipients, among which 29 successfully got pregnant and gave birth to a total of 162 piglets, and 8 of them were identified to be transgenic. Fatty acid compositions in the transgenic pigs were altered, and the levels of ω-6：ω-3 ratios were decreased from 14.53 in the control to 2.62 in Fat-1 transgenic pigs. A number of primary sFat-1-transgenic pigs were bred in this study, which lays the foundation for cultivation of new varieties of transgenic pigs.

Usefulness of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in addition to mesalazine in maintaining remission in pediatric Crohn's disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

AIM： To assess the value of long-chain w-3 fatty acids （FAs） supplementation in addition to amino-salicylic-acid （5-ASA） in pediatric patients with Crohn＇s disease （CD）. METHODS： Thirty-eight patients （20 males and 18 females, mean age 10.13 years, range 5-16 years） with CD in remission were randomized into two groups and treated for 12 too. Group Ⅰ （18 patients） received 5-ASA （50 mg/kg/d）＋w-3 FAs as triglycerides in gastroresistant capsules, 3 g/d （eicosapentanoic acid, EPA, 400 mg/g, docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, 200 mg/g）. Group Ⅱ （20 patients） received 5-ASA （50 mg/kg/d）＋olive oil placebo capsules. Patients were evaluated for fatty acid incorporation in red blood cell membranes by gas chromatography at baseline 6 and 12 mo after the treatment. RESULTS： The number of patients who relapsed at 1 year was significantly lower in group I than in group Ⅱ （P〈0.001）. Patients in group I had a significant increase in the incorporation of EPA and DHA （P〈0.001） and a decrease in the presence of arachidonic acids. CONCLUSION： Enteric-coated w-3 FAs in addition to treatment with 5-ASA are effective in maintaining remission of pediatric CD.

Hydrothermal Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Six Complexes Constructed from 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic Acid and 4'-(4-Pyridyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine Mixed Ligands

Six new transition metal complexes, [Zn（HBTC）（PYTPY）]n·n PYTPY（1）, [Cu（HBTC）（PYTPY）]n·n PYTPY（2）, [Co（HBTC）（PYTPY）]n·n DMF（3）, [Mn（HBTC）（PYTPY）]n·n DMF（4）, [Cd（HBTC）（PYTPY）（H2O）]n·2nH2O（5）, and [Co（HBTC）（PYTPY）（H2O）2]（6）,（H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, PYTPY = 4＇-（4-pyridyl）-2,2＇：6＇,2＇＇-terpyridine, DMF = N,N？-dimethylformamide）, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Complexes 1~5 all feature one-dimensional chain structures, and complex 6 exhibits a zero-dimensional structure. Complexes 1~5 present three-dimensional（3D） supramolecular frameworks via π-π stacking interactions, whenas 6 has also a 3D supramolecular structure assembled by hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, complexes 1 ~ 6 exhibit the thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties.

A One-dimensional Cd(Ⅱ)Coordination Polymer Constructed from 1,4-Benzene-dicarboxylic Acid and 3-(2,6-Di(pyrazin-2-yl)pyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole:Synthesis,Structure and Photoluminescence

A new coordination polymer {[Cd（C_（21）H_（14）N_6）（C_8H_4O_4）]·H_2O}_n（1） was synthesized by an elaborate design via the reaction of 3-（2,6-di（pyrazin-2-yl）pyridin-4-yl）-1H-indole（bppi）,1,4-benzene-dicarboxylic acid（H2bdc） and cadmium（Ⅱ） nitrate in CH_3OH/H_2O mixed solvents. Complex 1 crystallizes in orthorhombic,space group Ccca with a = 20.012（4）,b = 31.881（6）,c = 19.808（4） ？,V = 12638（4） ？~3,Z = 16,C_（29）H_（20）CdN_6O_5,M_r = 644.91,D_c = 1.356 g·cm^（-3）,μ = 0.735 mm^（-1）,F（000） = 5184,GOOF = 1.046,the final R = 0.0405 and wR = 0.1063 for 6870 observed reflections（I 〉 2σ（I））. The Cd（Ⅱ） centre is hepta-coordinated by three N and four O atoms from one bppi terminal ligand and two bdc2– ligands,respectively,displaying a capped trigonal prism geometry. Structure extension gives coordination polymeric chains,in which the bdc2– linkers connect Cd（Ⅱ） cations into a one-dimensional（1D） coordination polymer along the c axis,giving zigzag chains with the Cd···Cd separation of 11.178（1） ？. The adjacent bppi terminal ligands in the chains are anti-periplanar conformation. The three-dimensional（3D） structure is stabilized by π···π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a supramolecular self-penetrating network with 1D channels. In 1,there are voids 2999.7 ？~3 with 23.7% of per unit cell volume. Thermal analysis indicates that the framework of 1 is stable until 651 K and the photoluminescence of 1 in the solid shows very weak fluorescence at 382 and 560 nm upon excitation at 310 nm.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-mediated eicosanoid pathway:A potential mechanistic linkage between dietary fatty acid consumption and colon cancer risk

Human consumption of linoleic acid(LA,18:2ω-6,abundant in vegetable oils)is very high.Animal experiments showed that excessive LA intake increased azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis,however,the impact of excessive LA on colon cancer in human is not conclusive,making it difficult to make dietary recommendations for optimal intake of LA.Understanding the molecular mechanisms of LA on colon tumorigenesis could help to clarify its health effect,and facilitate development of mechanismbased strategies for preventing colon cancer.Recent studies show that the previously unappreciated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-mediated eicosanoid pathway is upregulated in colon cancer and plays critical roles in its pathogenesis,and could contribute to the effects of dietary LA,as well asω-3 fatty acids,on colon tumorigenesis.In this review,we will discuss recent studies about the roles of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in fatty acid metabolism and its roles in colonic inflammation and colon cancer,and how this information could help us to clarify the health impacts of dietary fatty acids.

Crystal Structure and Biological Activities of (R)-N′-[2-(4-Methoxy-6-chloro)-pyrimidinyl]-N-[3-methyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)butyryl]-urea

The title compound （R）-N′-[2-（4-methoxy-6-chloro）-pyrimidyl]-N-[3-methyl-2-（4- chlorophenyl）butyryl]-urea has been synthesized, and its crystal structure and biological behaviors were studied. Crystallographic data： C17H18C12N4O3, Mr = 397.25, monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.331（2）, b = 14.025（3）, c = 23.085（5） A, β = 99.607（4）°, Z = 8, V = 3936.2（13） A3, Dc = 1.341 g/cm^3, F（000） = 1648, R = 0.0718, wR = 0.1585 and/t（MoKα） = 0.353 mm^-1. The preliminary biological tests showed that the title compound has definite insecticidal and fungicidal activities.

A Facile Synthesis of 9,10-Dimethoxybenzo[6,7]- ox-epino[3,4-<i>b</i>]quinolin-13(6<i>H</i>)-one and Its Derivatives

A concise and efficient method for the synthesis of novel 9,10-imethoxybenzo[6,7]oxepino[3,4-b]quinolin13(6H)-one and its derivatives 7a-p has been developed via the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions of 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(phenoxymethyl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acids 6a-p with polyphosphoric acid (PPA) as catalyst and solvent under mild conditions. The key intermediates 6a-p were prepared through the in situ formation of ethyl 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(phenoxymethyl)quinoline-3-carboxylates 5a-p followed by hydrolysis with aqueous ethanolic sodium hydroxide solution. The novel synthetic method has the advantages of good yields, easy work-up, and environmentally friendly character, which may provide a novel highly efficient process for making quinoline and related azaheterocycle libraries.

Effect of Temperature on the Reaction of 2-(N-acetylamine)-3-(3,5-di-<i>tert</i>-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic Acid with Oxygen in an Alkaline Condition

Results of oxidation 2-(N-acetylamine)-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid oxygen depend on temperature. At 55℃?- 60℃, 2,4-di-tert-butylbicyclo(4,3,1)deca-4,6-dien-8-(N-acetylamine)-3,9-dion-1-oxa is formed. The constitution is based on dates of spectrums 1Н and 13С NMR. At 95℃?- 97℃, mixtures of 2,4-di-tert-butylbicyclo(4,3,1)deca-4,6-dien-8-(N-acetylamine)-3,9-dion-1-oxa and of 6,8-di-tert-butyl-3-(N-acetylamine)spiro(4,5)deca-1-oxa-5,8-dien-2,7-dione are produced. Structures are calculated by the method of Hartrii-Foka. Values of enthalpies and of entropies allow to assume dynamic isomerism.

Is there a role of lipid-lowering therapies in the management of fatty liver disease?

Atherogenic dyslipidemia is characterized by increased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.It is highly prevalent in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and contributes to the increased cardiovascular risk associated with this condition.Alongside insulin resistance it plays an important pathogenetic role in NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)development and progression.It has been shown that cholesterol-lowering reduces cardiovascular risk more in NAFLD vs non-NAFLD high-risk individuals.This evidence highlights the importance of effective lipid modulation in NAFLD.In this narrative review the effects of the most commonly used lipid-lowering therapies on liver outcomes alongside their therapeutic implications in NAFLD/NASH are critically discussed.Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that statins reduce hepatic steatosis,inflammation and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD/NASH.Most data are derived from observational and small prospective clinical studies using changes in liver enzyme activities,steatosis/fibrosis scores,and imaging evidence of steatosis as surrogates.Also,relevant histologic benefits were noted in small biopsy studies.Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin showed greater benefits,whereas data for other statins are scarce and sometimes conflicting.Similar studies to those of statins showed efficacy of ezetimibe against hepatic steatosis.However,no significant anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions of ezetimibe have been shown.Preclinical studies showed that fibrates through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)αactivation may have a role in NAFLD prevention and management.Nevertheless,no relevant benefits have been noted in human studies.Species-related differences in PPARαexpression and its activation responsiveness may help explain this discrepancy.Omega-3 fatty acids reduced hepatic steatosis in numerous heterogeneous studies,but their benefits on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis have not been established.Promising preliminary data for the highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid require further confirmation.Observational studies suggest that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin9 inhibitors may also have a role in the management of NAFLD,though this needs to be established by future prospective studies.

ω-3PUFAs Prevent MK-801-induced Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenic Rats via the CREB/BDNF/TrkB Pathway

This study was to determine the protective effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids（ω-3PUFAs） on MK-801-induced cognitive impairment in schizophrenia（SZ） rats and the underlying mechanism. A rat model of schizophrenia was induced by MK-801. The cognitive function of rats was assessed using a Morris water maze. The number of hippocampal neurons was measured by Nissl staining. The expression of CREB, p-CREB, BDNF, TrkB, p-TrkB, AKT, p-AKT, ERK, and p-ERK in the hippocampus of rats was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that ω-3PUFAs attenuated MK-801-induced cognitive impairment and hippocampal neurons loss, reversed the injury of the CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway induced by MK-801, and antagonized MK-801-induced down-regulation of p-AKT and p-ERK in the hippocampus of rats. In conclusion, ω-3PUFAs enhances the CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway by activating ERK and AKT, thereby increasing the synaptic plasticity and decreasing neuron loss, and antagonizing MK-801-induced cognitive impairment in schizophrenic rats.

Free fatty acids, glucose, and insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Xu et al used the HOMA2 model to estimate theβ-cell function and insulin resistance levels in an individual from simultaneously measured fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels.This method is based on the assumption that the glucose-insulin axis is central for the metabolic activities,which led to type 2 diabetes.However,significant downregulation of both the NKX2-1 gene and the TPD52L3 gene force an increase in the release of free fatty acids(FFAs)into the blood circulation,which leads to a marked reduction in membrane flexibility.These data favor a FFA-glucose-insulin axis.The authors are invited to extend their study with the introduction of the saturation index(number of carbon-carbon double bonds per 100 fatty-acyl chains),as observed in erythrocytes.

Creating Benefits from Omega-3 Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals

Foods currently eaten by Americans have abundant amounts of essential omega-6 (n-6) nutrients and relatively few omega-3 (n-3) nutrients. The average omega 3 - 6 balance score of typical US foods is about –6. This imbalance causes the average American to accumulate tissue proportions of n-3 and n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) with about 77% n-6 in HUFA. This HUFA balance links to many chronic health conditions that are made worse by overabundant actions of food-based omega-6 HUFA. Americans currently spend more on treating food-based health conditions than they spend on food. Less medication is needed to treat signs and symptoms when a key dietary cause of the signs and symptoms is prevented. Informed food producers can readily prepare and market new food products with more n-3 and less n-6 nutrients to reverse the current national nutrient imbalance and help people attain and maintain a healthy HUFA balance. New functional foods and nutraceuticals will help consumers shift their financial resources from treating signs and symptoms caused by HUFA imbalance to preventing the nutrient imbalance that causes the need to treat.

The Effects of Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern on Layer's Performance and Egg Quality

The feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of flaxseed on layer＇s performance and egg quality, and the effects of the dietary ratio of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid on fatty acid deposition in yolk using flaxseed as resource of ω-3 fatty acid and sunflower seed as resource of ω-6 fatty acid. 192 20-wk-old Newroman commercial hens were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates containing 8 birds. The rations corresponding with the four treatments were formulated with 4% flaxseed ＋ 9% sunflower seed, 8% flaxseed ＋ 18% sunflower seed, 15% flaxseed, and soybean meal, respectively. Sunflower seed was unshelled and flaxseed was whole. Ratios of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid in 4 dietary treatments were 5.67, 5.21, 1.07, and 11.83, respectively. It can be concluded that long-term feeding 15% flaxseed had no significant （P〉 0.05） influence on egg production, egg weight, eggshell quality, yolk weight, and percentage of yolk weight. Dietary ratio of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid had impact on the 0-3 fatty acid levels in yolk, nevertheless yolk fatty acid profiles were different from those of dietary fatty acid compositions.

Effects of salvianolic acids on endothelial cells against damage induced by cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol

To investigate the effects of salvianolic acids on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) against damage induced by cholestane-3β-5α-6β-triol (chol-triol) Methods The viability of HUVEC was measured by MTT method The apoptosis of HUVEC induced by chol-triol was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay The production of malondialdehyd (MDA) in HUVEC was tested by thiobarbaturic acid (TBA) assay Results The viability of HUVEC treated with chol-triol 100 μmol/L decreased by 39 8% while salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml increased by 27 9% The apoptotic rate of HUVEC measured by PI staining increased from 6%-8% to 17%-20% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 100 μg/ml reduced the apoptotic rate to 10%-14% after treatment HUVEC for 1 h prior to chol-triol treatment In another experiment, chol-triol increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells 5 times, but salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells by 36 9% and 61 2%, respectively The production of MDA in HUVEC increased by 120 7% after chol-triol treatment for 12 h Salvianolic acids 10 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml also decreased the concentration of MDA by 28 7% and 39 8%, respectively Conclusion Salvianolic acids has protective effect on endothelial cells against damage induced by chol-triol

Antisense-Mediated Depletion of Tomato Chloroplast Omega-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase Enhances Thermal Tolerance

A chloroplast-localized tomato （Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.） ω-3 fatty acid desaturase gene （LeFADT） was isolated and characterized with regard to its sequence, response to various temperatures, and function in antisense transgenic tomato plants. The deduced amino acid sequence had four histidine-rich regions, of which three regions were highly conserved throughout the whole ω-3 fatty acid desaturasegene family. Southern blotting analysis showed that LeFAD7was encoded by a single copy gene and had two homologous genes in the tomato genome. Northern blot showed that LeFAD7 was expressed in all organs and was especially abundant in leaf tissue. Meanwhile, expression of LeFAD7 was induced by chilling stress （4 ℃）, but was inhibited by high temperature （45 ℃）, in leaves. Transgenic tomato plants were produced by integration of the antisense LeFAD7DNA under the control of a CaMV35S promoter into the genome. Antisense transgenic plants with lower 18 ： 3 content could maintain a higher maximal photochemical efficiency （Fv/Fm） and O2 evolution rate than wild-type plants. These results suggested that silence of the LeFAD7 gene alleviated high-temperature stress. There was also a correlation between the low content of 18 ： 3 resulting from silence of the LeFAD7 gene and tolerance to high-temperature stress.

不饱和脂肪酸与抑郁症的相关性研究进展

抑郁症是最常见的精神障碍,以持久而显著的心境低落为特征。在我国,抑郁症的发病率呈逐年上升趋势。本文介绍近年来国内外对于不饱和脂肪酸与抑郁症的相关性研究结果,并进行回顾与总结。大量研究表明,较低的血清多不饱和脂肪酸(主要是ω-3脂肪酸)水平与抑郁症状的严重程度高度相关,较高的血清多不饱和脂肪酸水平与较低的抑郁症发病率以及较低的抑郁症状评分相关。而血清单不饱和脂肪酸(ω-9脂肪酸)被证实与抑郁症状无相关性。较低的ω-6脂肪酸/ω-3脂肪酸比值可能预示较好的预后。血清多不饱和脂肪酸水平或可成为一种预测抑郁症发生率及抑郁症状严重度的参考依据。