RESUMEN
BACKGROUND & AIMS: In a placebo controlled study we sought to determine if a four-weeks tryptophan-enriched diet is able to improve age-related depression or social cognitive impairment, depending on polymorphisms located in the promoter region of Solute Carrier Family 6 Member 4 (SLC6A4), also known as serotonin transporter (SERT1) gene. METHODS: 91 young volunteers (age: 21 ± 2 yrs) and 127 above 50 years old (58 ± 6 yrs) healthy volunteers completed the study. Participants from the placebo and tryptophan group followed the same protocol. Before starting the study blood samples, to measure serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and rs25531 polymorphisms, were collected. In addition, before and after completing the study urine samples (to measure 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were taken, while psychological questionnaires (to assess depression and social cognition levels), and a one week dietary record (to calculate the tryptophan (TRP) intake) were assessed. RESULTS: The triallelic approach of SLC6A4 showed that in S'S´ subjects there was a positive correlation between TRP intake and 5-HIAA levels. Age of participants, SLC6A4 genotype, and experimental condition were important factors contributing to the outcome of depression and social cognition. CONCLUSIONS: 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms play a key role in the response to the TRP- based nutritional intervention, improving only age-related depressive symptoms and empathy in S'S´ subjects who have a higher risk to show signs of depression during their lifetime.
Asunto(s)
Depresión/dietoterapia , Dieta/métodos , Proteínas de Transporte de Serotonina en la Membrana Plasmática/genética , Cognición Social , Triptófano/administración & dosificación , Factores de Edad , Alelos , Depresión/genética , Dieta/psicología , Encuestas sobre Dietas , Ingestión de Alimentos/genética , Ingestión de Alimentos/psicología , Empatía , Femenino , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/genética , Genotipo , Voluntarios Sanos , Humanos , Ácido Hidroxiindolacético/orina , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fenómenos Fisiológicos de la Nutrición/genética , Polimorfismo Genético , Pruebas Psicológicas , Método Simple Ciego , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Mood disturbances are implicated in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different doses of melatonin on quality of life, mood status, pain, anxiety, and urinary cortisol levels in patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: After a 10-day baseline period for the collection of data about participants' initial status, participants took different doses of melatonin for 10 consecutive days each, with placebo given during the 10 days either before or between melatonin doses. Participants' moods, quality of life, and pain levels were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), a Numerical Pain Scale (NPS), the State-Trait Anxiety Test (STAI), a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Urinary cortisol levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Doses of 9, 12, and 15 mg of melatonin were associated with decreases in the total score of the FIQ, NPS scores, and urinary cortisol levels. The State-Anxiety subscale of the STAI improved after the 12 mg dose. The scores on the VAS improved after the 9 mg dose. The dimensions evaluated in the SF-36 questionnaire improved after the 9 mg dose. CONCLUSION: Melatonin improved mood, anxiety levels, and quality of life while decreasing cortisol levels in patients with fibromyalgia.
