Cardiovascular diseases, depression disorders and potential effects of omega-3 fatty acids

Physiol Res. 2017 Jul 18;66(3):363-382. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.933430. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depressive disorders (DD) are two of the most prevalent health problems in the world. Although CVD and depression have different origin, they share some common pathophysiological characteristics and risk factors, such as the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, endothelial dysfunction, blood flow abnormalities, decreased glucose metabolism, elevated plasma homocysteine levels, oxidative stress and disorder in vitamin D metabolism. Current findings confirm the common underlying factors for both pathologies, which are related to dramatic dietary changes in the mid-19th century. By changing dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids from 1:1 to 15-20:1 some changes in metabolism were induced, such as increased pro-inflammatory mediators and modulations of different signaling pathways following pathophysiological response related to both, cardiovascular diseases and depressive disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Inflammation Mediators