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Vitamin D and N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplementation in Treatment-Resistant Depressive Disorder Patients: A General Review.

Current pharmaceutical design
January 1, 2020
Flavia di Michele et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to review the therapeutic potential of Vitamin D and NAC in modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission and neuroimmune pathways for treatment-resistant MDD.

Results Summary

The study suggests that NAC modulates synaptic glutamate release via the cysteine-glutamate antiporter and exhibits neuroprotective effects, while Vitamin D deficiency is linked to MDD, with supplementation potentially improving depressive symptoms.

Population

Individuals with refractory Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including special populations like youngsters and elders.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Vitamin D
decrease
Vitamin D levels
patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including MDD
-
deficiency in patients with severe psychiatric disorders
#1
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
increase
neuroprotection
-
-
neuroprotective action
#2
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
modulation
inflammatory pathways
-
-
modulation of inflammatory pathways
#3
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
modulation
synaptic release of glutamate
-
-
modulation of synaptic release of glutamate
#4
Vitamin D and NAC supplementation
improvement
depressive disorder
individuals with refractory MDD
-
potential benefits
#5
Nutraceutical supplementation with Vitamin D and NAC
increase
depressive clinical manifestations
treatment-resistant MDD patients
-
important for improving depressive clinical manifestations
#6
Nutraceutical supplementation with Vitamin D and NAC
increase
safety and tolerability profile
treatment-resistant MDD patients
-
important for their safety and tolerability profile
#7
nutraceutical approach
increase
compliance
patients
-
better compliance by the patients
#8
Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is often a lifetime disabling mental illness as individuals with MDD might not benefit from standard-therapy, including both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Novel therapies are, therefore, required. It was shown by recent preclinical and clinical studies that the dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission might be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Furthermore, neuroimmune alterations could have a significant role in the pathogenesis of MDD. Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone essential for several metabolic processes, immune responses, and for regulating neurotrophic-neuroprotective processes, neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have also shown Vitamin D deficiency in patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including MDD. Lately, clinical studies have shown the neuroprotective action of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) through the modulation of inflammatory pathways and via the modulation of synaptic release of glutamate in cortico-subcortical brain regions; the cysteine-glutamate antiporter. This paper reviews the therapeutic use of Vitamin D and NAC and among individuals with refractory MDD to the first- line pharmacological interventions, reviewing the clinical studies published in the last decade. A detailed summary of the current evidence in this area aims to better inform psychiatrists and general practitioners on the potential benefits of Vitamin D and NAC supplementation for this disorder. Nutraceutical supplementation with Vitamin D and NAC in treatment-resistant MDD patients may be important not only for improving depressive clinical manifestations but also for their safety and tolerability profile. This is of great interest, especially considering the need for treating special populations affected by MDD, such as youngsters and elders. Finally, the nutraceutical approach represents a good choice, considering its better compliance by the patients compared to traditional psychopharmacological treatment.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AcetylcysteineAgedDepressive Disorder, MajorDepressive Disorder, Treatment-ResistantDietary SupplementsHumansVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year0.8
Relative Citation Ratio0.31
NIH Percentile16.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.16
Normalized Score0.66
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Vitamin D and N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplementation in Treatment... | Panacea Index