Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and psychological wellness during long duration space missions: results for the MARS-105 and MARS-500 simulations

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) include the family of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Some Omega-6 fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), can be synthesized in the body using linoleic acid as precursor other Omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaeboic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), are the final metabolites of the essential fatty acid alpha linoleic. It has been reported that omega-3 may play a role in nervous system activity improving cognitive development and reference memory-related learning, increasing neuroplasticity of nerve membranes, contributing to synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission. Low dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been inked to several psychiatric symptomatology, including depression, disorders of impulse control, and hostility. Intervention trials for clinical depression and other disorders have reported benefits, leading to the conclusion that Omega-3 can affect not only cognitive functions, but also mood and emotional states and may act as a mood stabilizer. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on cognitive and physiological parameters in subjects during long time confinement profile of MARS 500 mission, in order to enhance psychological wellness and counteract depression and mood instability, occurring in long term confinement due to space flight, that might interfere with astronaut activities. During first Mars experiment (105) we measured a significant decrease of omega-3 fatty acids in blood of crews that in some case is correlated to an increase of fatigue measured with questionnaire. During the MARS 500 simulation we followed the blood fatty acid composition during the first 250 days of the simulation and we used a double blind cross over study to assess the effect of 3 g/day EPA+DHA supplementation in comparison to placebo group. Preliminary results indicate that fatty acid status is strictly correlated with diet and the use of supplements may be useful during long time space missions or confinement to regulate and stabilize body fatty acid composition and probably also as mood stabilizer.