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Stress-induced MoodNCT05520437

Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Kynurenine Metabolism and Mood

A study testing Omega-3 fatty acids in people with Stress-induced Mood and Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites, run by Medical University of Gdansk at 1 site in Poland.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of the current study is to explore the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on stress-induced changes to kynurenine metabolism and mood. The objectives of this research project are as follows: 1. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 28 to 48 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Omega-3 fatty acids
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
80 participants
Where
1 sitePoland
Study dates
20 Nov 2020to Feb 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 28 to 48 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • long-distance runners with 2-5 years of experience in running and similar times in covering the half-marathon distance
  • age-matched individuals involved in no regular physical activity
  • must provide a signed informed consent form

Who cannot join

  • DSM-5 psychiatric diagnoses other than depression and anxiety disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
  • neurological disorders any other serious medical problems
  • taking dietary supplements

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Poland1 site
  • Medical University of Gdańsk

    Gdansk, 80-210

Other trials in Poland

About this study

Official title: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Stress-induced Changes to Kynurenine Metabolism and Mood in Physically Active and Inactive Males

The purpose of the current study is to explore the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on stress-induced changes to kynurenine metabolism and mood.

The objectives of this research project are as follows:

  1. To compare biochemical parameters (KYN and KYNA, markers of oxidative stress, and markers of inflammation) between physically active and inactive males
  2. To determine the impact of a 3-month supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on mood, inflammation markers and oxidative stress, and changes in KYN and KYNA
  3. To determine the impact of the stress manipulation test (TSST) on mood and changes in KYN and KYNA before and after the omega-3 fatty acids supplementation
Read the detailed description

The purpose of the current study is to explore the effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on stress-induced changes to kynurenine metabolism and mood. While previous studies suggest that peripheral tryptophan conversion to KYN is activated by stress and inflammatory factors, the evidence is based on animal models only. Hence, this will be the first study to test this phenomenon on humans. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in this study aims to reduce the inflammatory factors. The stress response in participants will be experimentally controlled by conducting a stress manipulation task. Finally, based on the findings that exercise-induced PGC-1α expression in skeletal muscles might protect against stress-induced neurobiological mechanisms of depressed mood, the study will compare two groups of participants: passive individuals and physically active individuals who might have higher activity of KAT in skeletal muscles. This study design will allow to investigate the effect of long-term endurance training on L-kynurenine levels and mood. Considering a constant rise in the consumed ratio of omega-6/omega-3 as well as a more sedentary lifestyle and higher experienced stress in western countries, this study could have a great therapeutic potential and will expand our understanding of mechanisms of how diet and exercise can influence mood.

The objectives of this research project are as follows:

  1. To compare biochemical parameters (KYN, KYNA, markers of oxidative stress, and inflammation) between physically active and inactive males
  2. To determine the impact of a 3-month supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on changes in the kynurenine and kynurenic acid
  3. To determine the impact of a 3-month supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on inflammation markers and oxidative stress
  4. To determine the impact of a 3-month supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on mood
  5. To determine the impact of the stress manipulation test (TSST) on kynurenine metabolism before and after the omega-3 fatty acids supplementation

Procedure

Prior to the study, participants will be outlined the study protocol and will be assured about the right to withdrawn at any time. Following this, a written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.

Before the start of the intervention blood samples will be collected from the participants to determine the percentage content of omega-3 fatty acids in the serum and red blood cell, KYN and KYNA, markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation products, protein carbonyls), and inflammation markers (CRP, IL-10, TNF). Mood will be assessed using validated psychological measures: Mood Adjective Check List (UMACL) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21). This will be followed by inducing a stress response with a validated stress manipulation test, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in both groups of participants. After the stress manipulation test, mood and biological parameters will be reassessed.

All participants will receive omega-3 supplementation for the period of 12 weeks.

12 weeks after the start of the intervention blood samples will be collected from the participants to determine the omega-3 fatty acid levels, KYN and KYNA, markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation products, protein carbonyls), and inflammation markers (CRP, IL-10, TNF). Mood will be assessed using UMACL and DASS. This will be followed by inducing a stress response (TSST) in both groups of participants. Straight after the stress manipulation test, and 1 hour after the stress manipulation test, mood and biological parameters will be reassessed.

Being tested
Omega-3 fatty acids, Placebo
Keywords
Omega-3, Kynurenine pathway

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Omega-3 fatty acidsDietary supplement

    Participants received Omega-3 supplements (NAMEDSPORT) in the form of softgels over a period of 12 weeks. The supplement is certified by the International Fish Oil Standards™ (IFOS™) Program. Daily dose contained a total of 3276 mg of Omega 3 (4000 mg of fish oil of which: EPA 2234mg; DHA 916mg).

  • PlaceboDietary supplement

    Participants will receive a placebo in the form of MCT oil capsules with no effect on the hypothesized outcome.

Study groups in NCT05520437
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Physically active malesExperimentalHalf of the study population will consist of long-distance runners with 2-5 years of experience in running and similar times in covering the half-marathon distance.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 fatty acids; Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Physically inactive malesExperimentalThe other half of the study population will consist of age-matched individuals involved in no regular physical activity.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 fatty acids; Dietary Supplement: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Kynurenine pathway and its metabolites

    Before the intervention and 12 weeks after the start of the intervention blood samples will be collected from the participants to determine kynurenine pathway and its metabolites, namely Xanthurenic acid [ng/mL], Kynurenic acid [ng/mL], Kynurenine [ng/mL] and 3-Hydroxykynurenine [ng/mL]. This will be followed by inducing a stress response with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in both groups of participants. Straight after TSST and one hour after the stress manipulation test Xanthurenic acid [ng/mL], Kynurenic acid [ng/mL], Kynurenine [ng/mL] and 3-Hydroxykynurenine [ng/mL] will be reassessed.

    Measured: 3 months

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Mood

    Mood Adjective Check List (UMACL) will be used to assess mood (Mathews, Chamberlain \& Jones, 1990, adapted to Polish by Ewa Goryńska, 2005). UMACL measures mood in three dimensions of the core affect: Tense Arousal (minimum value: 9, maximum value: 36), Energetic Arousal (minimum value: 10, maximum value: 40), and Hedonic Tone (minimum value: 10, maximum value: 40), with higher scores representing higher levels of the mood dimensions.

    Measured: 3 months

  2. Mood

    The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) will be used to assess mood. DASS-21 measures the emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress (for each of the subscales the minimum value is 10 and the maximum value is 42, with higher scores representing higher levels of the emotional states).

    Measured: 3 months

  3. Omega-3 fatty acids

    The percentage content of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood will be assessed (1) before the intervention (2) 12 weeks after the start of the intervention, (3) following the stress manipulation test (Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)), (4) and one hour after TSST.

    Measured: 3 months

  4. Inflammation markers

    C-reactive protein (CRP) [mg/l] levels will be assessed (1) before the intervention (2) 12 weeks after the start of the intervention, (3) following the stress manipulation test (Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)), (4) and one hour after TSST.

    Measured: 3 months

  5. Oxidative stress

    Lipid peroxidation products levels will be assessed (1) before the intervention (2) 12 weeks after the start of the intervention, (3) following the stress manipulation test (Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)), (4) and one hour after TSST.

    Measured: 3 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Aug 2022
  2. Study start20 Nov 2020
  3. Primary completionDec 2022 (estimated)
  4. Study completionFeb 2023 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
80 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05520437
Sponsor's protocol ID
2019/35/N/NZ7/03757
Status last verified
Aug 2022
First submitted
14 Jul 2021
Last updated
30 Aug 2022
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Bidzan-Wiacek M, Tomczyk M, Blazek M, Mika A, Antosiewicz J. No Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on Kynurenine Pathway, Inflammation, Depressive Symptoms, and Stress Response in Males: A Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2024 Oct 31;16(21):3744. doi: 10.3390/nu16213744.

    PubMed 39519577
  • Tomczyk M, Bidzan-Wiacek M, Kortas JA, Kochanowicz M, Jost Z, Fisk HL, Calder PC, Antosiewicz J. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects tryptophan metabolism during a 12-week endurance training in amateur runners: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 19;14(1):4102. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54112-x.

    PubMed 38374149

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Omega-3 fatty acids in people with Stress-induced Mood and Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites, run by Medical University of Gdansk at 1 site in Poland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Aug 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Kynurenine pathway and its metabolites (time frame: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05520437, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Aug 2022.

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