Altered Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Profile in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Background: Dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency has been associated with the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compared with serum lipids, erythrocyte membrane fatty acids are more reliable biomarkers of long-term dietary intake because of the slower turnover rate of erythrocytes. However, the specific erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile in individuals with OCD has not been thoroughly investigated. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition in patients diagnosed with OCD. We also examined the relationship between specific fatty acid levels and the severity of OCD symptoms. Methods: A total of 40 patients with OCD and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled as controls. OCD symptoms were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) during structured clinical interviews conducted by a trained psychologist. Serum lipid profiles were analyzed using standard biochemical methods. Erythrocyte lipids were extracted, and fatty acid composition was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with OCD had significantly higher levels of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid and significantly lower levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). No significant differences were observed in the levels of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, or α-linolenic acid. Moreover, EPA and DHA levels in erythrocyte membranes were inversely correlated with OCD severity. Conclusions: Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition differed between patients with OCD and healthy controls. These alterations may be involved in the pathogenesis of OCD and could represent a potential risk factor for the disorder.