Role of betaine in improving the antidepressant effect of S-adenosyl-methionine in patients with mild-to-moderate depression

Figures & data

Figure 1 Scheme of the study.

Abbreviation: SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Figure 2 Score percentage variation versus T=0 in subjects treated with S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe).

Figure 3 Score percentage variation versus T=0 in subjects treated with S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe)/betaine.

Table 1 Features of participants on enrolment

	SAMe (N=23)	SAMe/betaine (N=23)
Sex (males/females)	6/17	7/15
Female age (years)	52.8±9.4	53.4±11.8
Male age (years)	50.3±10.3	51.4±7.6
Months from diagnosis	18.6±5.2	20.3±6.6

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviation: SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 2 Evaluation of the parameter “anxiety”

Time, T (days)	SAMe (A)	P (vs T=0)	SAMe/betaine (B)	P (vs T=0)	P (B vs A)
0	7.00±1.24		7.18±1.14		ns
15	5.78±1.28	<0.05	4.95±1.33	<0.05	ns
30	4.87±1.22	<0.05	4.32±1.32	<0.01	ns
45	4.04±1.26	<0.01	3.55±1.47	<0.01	ns
60	3.52±1.04	<0.01	2.95±1.36	<0.01	ns
75	3.09±1.31	<0.01	2.23±1.23	<0.01	ns
90	2.39±1.34	<0.01	1.23±1.15	<0.01	<0.05

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 3 Evaluation of the parameter “psychomotor agitation”

Time, T (days)	SAMe (A)	P (vs T=0)	SAMe/betaine (B)	P (vs T=0)	P (B vs A)
0	4.39±1.73		4.27±1.70		ns
15	3.74±1.76	<0.05	2.86±1.64	<0.05	ns
30	2.78±1.59	<0.01	2.18±1.50	<0.01	ns
45	2.30±1.46	<0.01	2.09±1.72	<0.01	ns
60	2.09±1.12	<0.01	1.45±1.06	<0.01	ns
75	2.09±0.90	<0.01	1.32±1.04	<0.01	ns
90	1.57±0.66	<0.01	0.95±0.65	<0.01	<0.05

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 4 Evaluation of the parameter “feelings of helplessness and worthlessness”

Time, T (days)	SAMe (A)	P (vs T=0)	SAMe/betaine (B)	P (vs T=0)	P (B vs A)
0	6.00±1.45		6.09±1.66		ns
15	4.83±1.19	<0.05	4.55±1.06	<0.01	ns
30	4.17±1.27	<0.01	4.09±1.19	<0.01	ns
45	3.39±1.31	<0.01	2.77±1.54	<0.01	ns
60	2.78±0.95	<0.01	2.18±1.33	<0.01	ns
75	2.30±0.82	<0.01	1.77±1.11	<0.01	ns
90	2.13±0.63	<0.01	1.18±1.01	<0.01	<0.01

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 5 Evaluation of the parameter “physical efficiency”

Time, T (days)	SAMe (A)	P (vs T=0)	SAMe/betaine (B)	P (vs T=0)	P (B vs A)
0	2.26±1.21		2.27±1.24		ns
15	3.96±1.22	<0.05	4.00±1.23	<0.05	ns
30	4.52±1.31	<0.01	4.82±1.59	<0.01	ns
45	5.09±1.28	<0.01	5.55±1.50	<0.01	ns
60	5.70±0.82	<0.01	6.27±1.12	<0.01	ns
75	5.52±1.04	<0.01	6.23±1.45	<0.01	ns
90	5.70±0.88	<0.01	6.68±1.17	<0.01	<0.05

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 6 Evaluation of the parameter “somatization”

Time, T (days)	SAMe (A)	P (vs T=0)	SAMe/betaine (B)	P (vs T=0)	P (B vs A)
0	6.96±0.77		7.27±1.16		ns
15	4.61±1.27	<0.05	4.50±1.19	<0.05	ns
30	3.91±1.16	<0.01	3.82±1.11	<0.01	ns
45	3.17±0.94	<0.01	3.05±0.95	<0.01	ns
60	2.83±0.72	<0.01	2.27±1.17	<0.01	ns
75	2.26±0.72	<0.01	1.45±1.34	<0.01	ns
90	2.09±0.79	<0.01	0.55±0.80	<0.01	<0.01

Note: All values are expressed as median ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 7 Tolerability assessment

Tolerability	N (SAMe)	N (SAMe/betaine)	P
Poor	1	0	ns
Fair	2	2	ns
Good	3	1	ns
Excellent	17	20	ns

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.

Table 8 Compliance assessment

Compliance	N (SAMe)	N (SAMe/betaine)	P
Poor	1	0	ns
Fair	10	14	ns
Good	10	8	ns
Excellent	1	1	ns

Abbreviations: ns, not significant; SAMe, S-adenosyl-methionine.