"Studying the Effects of Administration of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAS) of Omega-3 Series in Nicotine Dependence"

A cigarette has more than 6,000 toxic substances that can cause various diseases. Nicotine dependence may prolong the exposure to these toxic substances. The Central Nervous System (CNS) is consisted by a large amount of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAS) from omega-3 serie. Omega-3 takes part in several actions, including the modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. In its deficiency is detected a hypofunctioning of the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathway, related to the reward system, involved on the context of nicotine dependence. Treatment using dietary supplementation with omega-3 shows improvements in several diseases, including mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The investigators hypothesis is that supplementation with these fatty acids can restore the levels of omega-3 and could decrease nicotine dependence. Objective: Investigate a possible association between increased serum levels of omega-3 and the reduction in nicotine dependence. Material and Methods: In the clinical study, placebo controlled, double-blind, parallel, randomized, will be administered to 60 volunteers: placebo or fish oil for 90 days. Psychometric assessments will be carried out, measurements of serum levels of PUFAS, levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and cotinine in plasma will be done for monitoring the clinical course. Data Analysis: Repeated measures (ANOVA) for the dependent variables (dependency, anxiety, depression, motivation, compulsion, dosage of PUFAS, exhaled CO and cotinine) and independent (groups and time) to check for significant differences. If so, a second ANOVA with covariates will be conducted. Significance is p <0.05 in all analyzes.