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Anxiety and Adipose Essential Fatty Acid Precursors for Prostaglandin E1 and E2

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete, GREECE

Address reprint requests to: A. Kafatos MD, Director of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, P. O. Box 1393, Iraklion, Crete, GREECE

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between state and trait anxiety and adipose tissue essential fatty acid precursors for prostaglandins E1 and E2.

Methods: The sample consisted of 144 male and female Cretan adults, 23 to 69 years of age. Anthropometric and arterial blood pressure measurements were taken, and adipose tissue samples as well as data concerning general health habits were collected. Dietary data were collected using the weekly food frequency questionnaire and the 24-hour dietary recall method, while state and trait anxiety was assessed through the use of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Zung anxiety scale.

Results: State anxiety (STAI) related positively with sex (p < 0.0003) and negatively with adipose fat myristic acid (C14:0) (p < 0.004). Similarly, Zung trait anxiety related positively with sex (p < 0.0001) and negatively with adipose tissue myristic acid (C14:0) (p < 0.04). Spielberger trait anxiety related positively with adipose (LA + ALA)/(AA + EPA) ratio (p < 0.0002) and negatively with (C14:0) (p < 0.02) and dietary monounsaturated fat (p < 0.03).

Conclusion: It appears that the positive relation between trait anxiety and adipose (LA + ALA)/(AA + EPA) ratio may stem from the inhibiting role of catecholamines on 6 and 5 desaturases.

Key words: humans, stress, anxiety, adipose tissue, essential fatty acids, prostaglandins, 6 and 5 desaturase

Abbreviations: C18:2n6 = LA = linoleic acid • EFA = essential fatty acid • PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acids • C20:4n6 = AA = arachidonic acid • C14:0 = myristic acid • C16:0 = palmitic fatty acid • C20:3n6 = DGLA = dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid • C18:3n6 = GLA = gamma-linolenic acid • C18:3n3 = ALA = a-linolenic acid • C20:5n3 = EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid • C22:6n3 = EPA = docosahexaenoic acid

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