Posted by Larry Hoover on November 20, 2002, at 10:19:34
In reply to Re: Accutane Model for Depression, posted by linkadge on November 20, 2002, at 9:55:30
> Fat is an important factor in the proper development and functionality of the brain.
> When properly nourished, the brain uses many
> fats for the creation and maintainance of the
> myalin shealths which greatly affect neurotransmission speed. I am just wondering if the affects the Acutaine has on the production and utilization of fat has anything to do with some of the psychiatric complaints that have been reported.Doesn't look like it.
Int J Dermatol 1996 Mar;35(3):216-8
Effect of systemic administration of isotretinoin on blood lipids and fatty acids in acne patients.
Ostlere LS, Harris D, Morse-Fisher N, Wright S.
Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital, School of Medicine, London, England.
BACKGROUND. In many studies, an increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides with isotretinoin therapy have been shown and investigators have commented on potential cardiovascular risk. A low intake of linoleic acid, the main essential fatty acid in man, may act as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. In vitro etretin alters both the incorporation of extracellular fatty acids into cell membranes and the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane itself. It is, therefore, important to establish whether isotetinoin has any effect on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. METHODS. The effect of treatment with isotretinoin for 4 months on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with acne was assessed. Quantitative total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as plasma phospholipid, triglycerides, and cholesteryl ester fatty acids were measured in 12 patients and red cell phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol fatty acids were measured in 13 patients before and after isotretinoin therapy. RESULTS. There was a significant increase in the concentrations of cholesterol (P < 0.02) and triglycerides (P < 0.04) during treatment. There was no significant difference is plasma phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters, or in the red cell phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol during isotretinoin therapy. CONCLUSIONS. This study failed to demonstrate any effect of isotretinon on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels following isotretinoin therapy supporting the findings of many previous studies.
> The only problem I forsee is that, if it were to cause problems via this mechanizm, it wouldn't be evident for quite some time, which seems to be conisistant with the delayed reports of depression in Acutain users about 6 months. The brain's fat content cannot be changed over night.
> Again this is just a theory.
>
>
> LinkadgeAccutane reduces endothelial proliferation, which would reduce the tendency to encyst inflamed glands. And, it competitively inhibits the production of certain oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which not only mediate inflammation, but which have been associated with mood in some studies. This latter effect may be the link (but we're way out on a conceptual limb, here).
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:127928
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128446.html