Background: S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) acts as a methyl donor, with dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin elevating properties, with potential antidepressant effects. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of SAMe-vitamin B complex supplement for improving mild and moderate depressive symptoms.
Subjects and methods: The study included 60 patients diagnosed with depression, with mild or moderate depressive symptoms, randomly allocated into two groups. The study group was treated with SAMe-vitamin B complex while the control group was administered a placebo, once daily for three months. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured by the Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAMD17). We measured the symptoms' severity with the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S), and the improvement or worsening after treatment with the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I).
Results: The mean HAMD17 score at zero point refers to moderate depressive symptoms in both groups. We found a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean HAMD17 and CGI-S scores at three months (p <0.001) and a significant difference within the study group without an influence by the age or gender. Mean CGI-I score in the study group at three months showed minimally or much improvement while no change or minimal worsening was observed in the control group with significant differences between the groups (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Three months of supplementation with SAMe-vitamin B complex is effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depressive symptoms. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(3): 140-143.
Keywords: Hamilton depression rating scale; S-adenosyl-L-methionine; depressive symptoms; moderate; vitamin B complex.