Ômega-3 e toxicodependência

Abstract

The chronic use of additive substances modifies the homeostasis of the central nervous system, directly affecting the function of the neurons, interfering with the functioning of several neurotransmitters, triggering processes such as neuroinflamation, alterations in synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. In this context it is observed the development of psychiatric disorders and cognitive deficits. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that the essential fatty acid omega-3 (EPA and DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively), is able to attenuate the losses of cognition besides promoting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, by mechanisms that can influence the dopaminergic and serotonergic system that are involved with the addiction process. The objective of the present study was to verify the neuroprotective effect of this essential fatty acids in the toxic dependence, through an integrated review of the scientific literature using the CAPES portal in which the following databases were accessed: Pubmed, Medline, Pubmed Central (PMC), Lilacs, Google Scholar, Web of Science. We found seventy-three studies of which fourteen were used. Excluded were studies that did not correlate omega-3 supplementation with drugs of abuse. It was observed that the consumption of capsules with 3 g of fish oil/day, correlated strongly with low scores of anxiety and aggressiveness scores in substance abusers. Additionally, it was observed that the consumption of 2,70 g of EPA and 2,04 g of DHA/day, promoted reduction of cigarette craving. Further, the serum omega-3 level would be a good index for relapses in cocaine users. Despite the lack of research, evidence suggests that omega-3 could be an adjuvant to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders.