engleski

Fatty acid composition in blood serum of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

Objective: Fatty acids play a significant role in the structure and function of cell membranes and cells in general. Cells from central nervous system are extremely rich in lipids and therefore highly susceptible to damages caused by disturbances in fatty acids pattern. Certain psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others, are thought to be associated with essential fatty acids deficiency. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a psychologically traumatic event. Diagnostic symptoms include re-experiencing the original trauma(s) usually accompanied by anger, hostility, and depression. Bearing in mind the fact that PTSD and other psychiatric disorders have many symptoms in common, this study was aimed to analyze the fatty acid composition in blood serum of patients with PTSD compared to healthy individuals, and to check for possible essential fatty acids' deficiency. Methods: The study included 50 male war veterans diagnosed with PTSD and 30 control subjects who also served in the war, but did not develop PTSD. The participants (aged 34-58 years) were interviewed about their nutritional and life style habits and anthropometric measures were taken. Vein blood samples were taken from cubital vein after overnight fasting ; from serum total lipids were extracted, and fatty acids trans-esterified to methyl esters. Fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. Results: In PTSD group a decreased ratio of linoleic (C18:2n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) was found, followed by an increase in saturated fatty acids ratio. Conclusion: Changes in fatty acid composition might be involved in the onset and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

fatty acids; post-traumatic stress disorder; nutrition

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