| Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder, closely associated
with obesity. This study aimed to assess the effects of prebiotics combined with calorie restriction
on clinical and metabolic response in obese women with MDD.
Methods: In an 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 62 obese women
with MDD were equally allocated into either prebiotic (10 g/day Inulin) or placebo (10 g/day
Maltodextrin) group. In addition, all the participants were also prescribed a 25% calorie-restricted
diet (registration ID: IRCT20100209003320N15). Depression was assessed by Hamilton depression
rating scale (HDRS) and Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) pre- and post-intervention.
Anthropometric measures, fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin and lipid profile were
assessed, and dietary assessments were performed pre- and post-intervention. Insulin resistance
was estimated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Results: 45 patients completed the trial. There were no significant between-group differences for
MDD symptoms and other study outcomes, post-intervention. Weight, waist and hip
circumferences, systolic blood pressure, and HDRS score significantly decreased in both groups,
while fat mass and total cholesterol (TC) declined only in the prebiotic arm. Those who had
≥1.9 kg weight loss showed significantly improved HDRS score, compared to women with
<1.9 kg weight reduction, irrespective of the supplement they took.
Conclusion: Although prebiotic supplementation had some beneficial metabolic effects, calorie
restriction and weight loss seem to play a more important role in improving depressive
symptoms among obese women with MDD. |