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ABSTRACT
Background
Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) have attracted the attention of researchers because of their influence on circulatory levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our objective was to review systematically and Meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of omega-3 FAs supplementation on serum BDNF concentration.
Methods
Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched until April 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was utilized to evaluate the quality of the studies. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the overall effect size of BDNF levels, using the Standard Mean Difference (SMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using chi-squared and I2 statistics.
Results
A total of 12 studies involving 587 subjects were included. The supplementation of PUFA was found to be associated with a significant increase in serum levels of BNDF in the group receiving the supplements, as compared to the placebo group (SMD: 0.72 pg/mL, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.15; P < 0.001) (I2 = 84.39%, P < 0.001). Sub-group analyses revealed similar findings in trials with fewer than 10 weeks, which utilized both animal (fish oil) and herbal (flaxseed) forms of omega-3 supplements with a high daily dosage of 2000mg.
Conclusion
The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicate the efficacy of omega-3 FAs in increasing the serum concentration of BDNF. Therefore, omega-3 FAs should be prioritized as agents for increasing BDNF in interventions.
The data availability statement
Data available within the article or its supplementary materials.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
SZ and JH designed the study. MH, ED, and SHM collected the data. AB and JH analyzed data. MM and SZ wrote the manuscript. S.A.S and H.M.A helped prepare the revision and edited the manuscript. All authors revised and finalized the report.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Somayeh Ziaei
Somayeh Ziaei is an accomplished professional holding an MD degree from Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, with a strong focus on nutrition and cardiometabolic risk factors. With an impressive background in medical research, she has published a series of influential papers shedding light on the intricate relationship between nutrition and cardiometabolic health. Throughout her academic journey, she have remained dedicated to investigating the impacts of diet and lifestyle on chronic diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, and their associated cardiovascular risks. Her research endeavors have not only expanded the understanding of these complex issues but have also provided valuable insights for interventions aimed at improving public health.
Shooka Mohammadi
Shooka Mohammadi is an assistant professor and a former post-doctoral research fellow (Ph.D. in Dietetics) with 16 years of academic research experience. Her interests are interventional studies on chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. The research conducted for her BSc, master, and Ph.D was related to breast cancer patients, survivors, and type 2 diabetes, respectively. The post-doctoral research fellowship was a collaborative project between the University of Malaya in Malaysia and Bristol University in the UK, which aimed to explore diet, physical activity, and cardiometabolic health in Malaysian adolescents: from epidemiology to intervention.
Motahareh Hasani
Motahareh Hasani is an accomplished assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. With a strong academic background in Public Health and Nutrition, she is a dedicated researcher with a focus on patient empowerment and personalized care. Her extensive expertise spans nutrition intervention, counseling, and epidemiology. Dr. Hasani's work plays a vital role in the fields of obesity management, quality of care enhancement, and human factors contributing to patient self-management. Her research pursuits not only contribute to the advancement of nutritional knowledge but also hold the potential to positively impact public health outcomes. Through her interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Hasani strives to unravel the complex interplay between nutrition and health, paving the way for improved well-being and tailored healthcare strategies.
Mehrnaz Morvaridi
Mehrnaz Morvaridi is a dedicated Ph.D. student in Nutritional Sciences at Iran University of Medical Sciences. Her research centers around vital aspects of nutrition, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors assessment. With a strong foundation in Public Health, Clinical Nutrition, and Nutrition Counseling, Mehrnaz is poised to contribute significantly to the field. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to understanding and combating the complexities of obesity and related health risks. Through her studies, she aims to develop innovative interventions that address the pressing issue of obesity and its impact on cardiometabolic health. As a driven researcher, Mehrnaz Morvaridi's work holds promise for fostering healthier lifestyles and advancing public well-being.
Andrej Belančić
Andrej Belančić is a clinical pharmacology resident (Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka), a teaching and research assistant at the Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology with Toxicology (University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine), a Secretary of the Croatian Society of Obesity, and a Croatian representative at the EACPT YCP WG. What is more, he is a motivated scientist with >100 publications (https://hr.linkedin.com/in/andrej-belan%C4%8Di%C4%87-1028b8133), a review editor at Frontiers in Endocrinology (section obesity), as well as official peer-reviewer for Cochrane and various prestigious journals.
Elnaz Daneshzad
Elnaz Daneshzad is an accomplished assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. With a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, her expertise spans various disciplines including depression, nutrition intervention, counseling, and epidemiology. Her remarkable research centers on enhancing the quality of life and preventing psychological issues through innovative nutritional interventions. Dr. Daneshzad's focus on obesity, nutrition, and human factors underscores her commitment to improving public health. Her work not only contributes to the field of nutritional sciences but also holds the potential to create a positive impact on individuals' well-being.
Saleh A. K. Saleh
Saleh A. K. Saleh is an Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU). With a strategic advisory role at UQU, he has been instrumental in enhancing the university's academic excellence and competitiveness. His efforts encompass research support, international collaboration, academic affairs, and alumni engagement, all aimed at improving competencies, research output, citation impact, and ranking performance. He's a seasoned expert in bibliometric analysis and university ranking indicators, often sharing his insights in workshops and seminars. Dr. Saleh actively collaborates with college deans and faculty members to align UQU's performance metrics with global standards. He serves as the university's primary contact for ranking organizations and leads data collection and submission. His impactful contributions extend to international collaborations, academic planning, institutional research, and quality assurance, solidifying his reputation in regional and international professional circles.
Heba M. Adly
Heba M. Adly is an accomplished Associate Professor of Environmental Health at Umm Al-Qura University's Faculty of Medicine. With 15+ years of expertise, she has pioneered sustainable development initiatives globally, shaping bespoke educational programs, curricula, and advising governments on public health and pollution policies. Adept in environmental science research and program management, she informs policies, drives health education, and devises strategies to avert health crises. Boasting 40+ published articles, she excels as a lecturer and conference speaker. Renowned for leading international scientific collaborations and securing prestigious grants, she excels in diverse group communication, optimizing research impact. A driving force for change, she fosters robust relationships with public, private, and community stakeholders to execute research-backed programs and amplify project efficacy.
Javad Heshmati
Javad Heshmati, and I hold a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences. While my primary expertise lies in this field, I have also gained extensive experience in medical and health-related management throughout my career. With my strong organizational skills and efficient project management abilities, I have successfully led various healthcare centers and hospitals. This includes my role as manager of a 120-bed hospital in Iran for one year. Additionally, I am proud to have served as the head manager of a healthcare center in Songhor, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Over the course of my medical research career, I have had the privilege of participating in multiple research teams. Currently, I am collaborating with an international team to conduct the latest medical review studies alongside Cochrane members. Although my experience extends beyond review studies, I am also well-versed in clinical trials and observational studies. Thanks to our recent research, I have developed advanced skills in utilizing statistical packages such as SPSS or STATA.