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OBJECTIVE: Stress may have an important role in the origin and progress of depression and can impair metabolic homeostasis. The one-carbon cycle (1-CC) metabolism and amino acid (AA) profile are some of the consequences related to stress. In this study, we investigated the Paroxetine treatment effect on the plasma metabolite alterations induced by forced swim stress-induced depression in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study that was carried out in 2021, thirty male NMRI mice (6-8 weeks age, 30 ± 5 g) were divided into five groups: control, sham, paroxetine treatment only (7 mg/kg BW/day), depression induction, and Paroxetine+depression. Mice were subjected to a forced swim test (FST) to induce depression and then were treated with Paroxetine, for 35 consecutive days. The swimming and immobility times were recorded during the interventions. Then, animals were sacrificed, plasma was prepared and the concentration of 1-CC factors and twenty AAs was measured by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC) techniques. Data were analyzed by SPSS, using One-Way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation, and P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of phenylalanine, glutamate, aspartate, arginine, ornithine, citrulline, threonine, histidine, and alanine were significantly reduced in the depression group in comparison with the control group. The Homocysteine (Hcy) plasma level was increased in the Paroxetine group which can be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Moreover, vitamin B12, phenylalanine, glutamate, ornithine, citrulline, and glycine plasma levels were significantly reduced in the depression group after Paroxetine treatment. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated an impairment in the plasma metabolites' homeostasis in depression and normal conditions after Paroxetine treatment, although, further studies are required.
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INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease. In this study, we have explored the outcome of omega-3 supplementary intake for the treatment of this symptom. METHODS: This double-blinded, randomized, crossover study was conducted in two dialysis centers in which 40 hemodialysis patients suffering from pruritus were randomly assigned into two groups (Group A and Group B). Patients in Group A consumed omega-3 capsules for 4 weeks and after a washout period (6 weeks), they took placebo for another 4 weeks. The same was performed in Group B but in the reverse order. Pruritus score was determined at the baseline, Week 4, 10, and 14. Serum levels of prostaglandin E2 were also recorded at the baseline and Week 4. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction of pruritus score in patients who took the omega-3 fatty acid supplement. The mean pruritus score decreased significantly in both first (-3.41 ± 2.62, p < 0.001) and second (-1.00 ± 1.84, p = 0.04) treatment period after omega-3 treatment; but no significant mean pruritus score difference in placebo group after both intervention periods was observed. The decrease in prostaglandin E2 amount was not statistically significant in the intervention (omega-3) group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.204). DISCUSSION: Our observations indicate that omega-3 fatty acids (3 grams per day) have decreasing effects on pruritus. Also, reduction in prostaglandin E2 levels in the omega-3 group did not differ from the changes in the placebo group.