S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) and Depression
February 2001; Volume 3; 13
By C. W. Fetrow, PharmD
Since its introduction in 1999, sales of s-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) have placed it among the 25 top-selling dietary supplements in the United States. SAMe is marketed as an antidepressant; an anti-arthritic; an agent for liver disorders, cholestasis, and migraines; and even as a therapy for fibromyalgia.
Pharmacology/Mechanism of Action
SAMe, created naturally in the body during the metabolism of methionine, functions as a primary methyl group (-CH3) donor for a broad range of compounds (proteins, phospholipids, fatty acids, DNA, RNA, porphyrins, choline, carnitine, and creatine). The rationale for supplementation of SAMe is that restoration of "youthful" levels of this metabolite may induce beneficial changes in individuals whose problems, at least in part, may be attributed to a relative deficiency. Activity of methionine adenosyltransferase (the enzyme that forms SAMe) is diminished in patients with major depression and schizophrenia, but elevated in mania.1 SAMe crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases concentrations of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.2 It has been suggested that SAMe may blunt noradrenergic responsiveness while increasing concentrations of dopamine and serotonin in the CNS.2,3 Whether this plays a part in the role of SAMe’s effects in depression has yet to be determined.
Clinical Trials
Some of the most convincing evidence regarding use of oral SAMe in depression comes from three randomized, double-blind, controlled trials (RDBCT) of SAMYR (BioResearch Inc., Milan, Italy). Eighteen adult male inpatients who met DSM-III criteria for major depression4 were randomly assigned to receive SAMe or placebo for 21 days. SAMe was initially administered as an oral 200 mg tablet once daily, then titrated by day 7 to 800 mg PO bid and continued at this dose for the remainder of the trial. Subjects were evaluated by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Carroll Rating Scale for Depression (CRSD). Fifteen patients completed the trial; three patients (all in the placebo group) dropped out.
In the SAMe group, six of nine patients experienced a reduction in HAMD score by more than 50%, compared to one of six in the placebo group. Mean reductions in scores for the SAMe group reached statistical significance (P < 0.05) by day 7 and remained significant throughout the 21-day study period. CRSD scores decreased significantly by day 21 (P < 0.05). The greatest limitation of this trial is the small study population. Minor limitations include short duration and no information on concomitant medications.
In a six-week RDBCT of oral SAMe and imipramine in major depression, 30 patients (9 men, 21 women) with HAMD scores of 18 or higher were randomized to either imipramine (140 mg/d) or SAMe (1,600 mg/d).5 No differences in demographics were detected between the groups. Patients were evaluated frequently by HAMD, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA), Montgomery-Asberg’s Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Zung’s Self-Rating Scale for Depression. The only concomitant medications allowed was the limited use of triazolam 0.25 mg for insomnia. Twenty-three patients completed the study. At day 10, statistically significant differences in scores compared to baseline were noted for the MADRS, HAMD, and HAMA (P < 0.001) in the SAMe treatment group, while only HAMD scores were significantly different from baseline for the imipramine group. At day 20, MADRS and HAMD scores were similar for the two treatment groups. At six weeks, scores on all scales suggested efficacy for both treatment groups. The investigators concluded that SAMe was effective and well tolerated for major depression. The trial lacked detailed information with respect to laboratory studies.
Another RDBCT enrolled 80 women between 45 and 59 years with depression related to onset of natural or surgical menopause (patients on estrogen replacement therapy were excluded).6 Patients were randomly assigned to either SAMe (1,600 mg/d PO) or placebo for 30 days and were assessed by the HAMD, Rome Depression Inventory (RDI), Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale (CGIIS), and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Ten patients in each group dropped out due to "reduced compliance." From day 10 forward, statistically greater improvements were seen in HAMD and RDI scores for SAMe treatment, compared to placebo and baseline. At day 30, scores for the MMPI and CGIIS significantly favored SAMe. The investigators concluded that oral SAMe was an effective treatment for depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder or dysthymia. This trial is limited primarily by short duration.
Several detailed reviews7-9 and at least two meta-analyses10,11 have examined the available evidence for SAMe in the therapy of depression. The most recent meta-analysis included almost 800 patients in trials that used oral (> 1,600 mg/d) or parenteral (> 200 mg/d) SAMe for short-term (< 12 weeks) treatment of depression vs. placebo or tricyclic antidepressants.11 Overall, SAMe was superior to placebo in treating depressive disorders and nearly as effective as standard tricyclic antidepressants. The reviews appear to echo these conclusions.7-9 However, these reviews and meta-analyses included trials of both oral and parenteral formulations and many suffered from poor study design.
SAMe Supplementation and Serum Levels
Despite the availability of a sensitive assay for SAMe, no true therapeutic range for SAMe serum levels has been defined. Although SAMe serum levels change with both SAMe and tricyclic treatment,2 attempts to correlate SAMe serum levels with successful responses in depressed subjects have not been successful.2,7
Adverse Events/Interactions
In general, SAMe appears to be well tolerated. The majority of side effects are mild to moderate and brief, with an overall incidence of 20%.12 Although few patients have withdrawn from SAMe trials because of side effects, significant adverse events have occurred.
The majority of reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal (heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and can be quite severe,13 but also include insomnia, dizziness, and headache.14,15 Anaphylaxis has been documented with parenteral SAMe administration.14 The subject also experienced dizziness and cognitive impairment that slowly resolved over two months.
Psychoactivation or a "switch" reaction to mania/hypomania has been documented in several trials.4,15,16 The frequency with which this occurs is concerning given the small number of subjects studied. Patients with a history of bipolar disorder may be at risk of a manic episode with use of SAMe.
Since SAMe participates in the trans-sulfuration pathway of methionine, it poses a theoretical, but potentially dangerous risk in those individuals susceptible to elevated homocysteine levels (defective or absent cystathionine beta-synthase and/or deficiencies of vitamins B6 or B12). The actual risk remains to be determined. There are no reports of drug or food interactions with SAMe. It is prudent for patients taking SAMe to avoid other antidepressants or mood-altering agents.
Formulation/Dosage
GNC and Nature Made distribute the only stable salt form of SAMe available in the United States. Twenty-tablet bottles retail at approximately $18-20. Oral doses in depression trials were 1,600 mg/d—approximately $225 for a 30-day supply.
Conclusion
SAMe is intriguing, and useful antidepressant activity has been demonstrated in small RDBCTs. However, enthusiasm for this entity must be tempered by the lack of information surrounding SAMe’s adverse effect profile. More data are needed before SAMe can be compared appropriately to more commonly utilized antidepressants with clearly defined risk/benefit ratios.
Current evidence does not strongly support a recommendation for use. Future studies must include larger numbers of patients and a dose-response component to identify a minimally effective and maximally tolerated dose, and specifically characterize the incidence of mania/hypomania. Also of concern is the theoretical risk of elevating homocysteine levels in patients prone to hyperhomocystinemia.
Patients inquiring about the use of SAMe for depression should be counseled about weak efficacy evidence, safety issues, the difference in doses used in trials and those recommended in product labeling, and its high cost. Patients should also be instructed to discuss the use of this dietary supplement with their primary health care (or mental health care) provider.
Dr. Fetrow is Coordinator, Pharmacokinetics and Outpatient Anticoagulation Services at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
References
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3. Sherer M, et al. Effects of S-adenosylmethionine on plasma norepinephrine, a blood pressure, and heart rate in healthy volunteers. Psychiatry Res 1986;17:111-118.
4. Kagan BL, et al. Oral S-adenosylmethinone in depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry 1990;147:591-595.
5. De Vanna M, Rigamonti R. Oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine in depression. Curr Ther Res 1992;52:3:478-485.
6. Salmaggi P, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in depressed postmenopausal women. Psychother Pscychosom 1993;59:34-40.
7. Del Vecchio M, et al. Monitoring S-adenosyl-methionine blood levels and antidepressant effect. Acta Neurol 1980;2:488-495.
8. Vahora SA, Malek-Ahmadi P. S-Adenosylmethionine in the treatment of depression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 1988;12:139-141.
9. Andeoli V. S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe) as antidepressant. New Trends Clin Neuropharmacol 1992; 6:11-18.
10. Janicak PG, et al. S-adenosylmethionine in depression. A literature review and preliminary report. Ala J Med Sci 1988;25:306-313.
11. Bressa GM. S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressant: Meta-analysis of clinical studies. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 1994;154:7-14.
12. Friedel HA, et al. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential in liver dysfunction and affective disorders in relation to its physiological role in cell metabolism. Drugs 1989;38:389-416.
13. Volkmann H, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of intravenous S-adenosyl-L-methionine in patients with fibromyalgia. Scand J Rheumatol 1997;26:206-211.
14. Jacobsen S, et al. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. Double-blind clinical evaluation. Scand J Rheumatol 1991;20:294-302.
15. Carrieri PB, et al. S-adenosylmethionine treatment of depression in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Curr Ther Res 1990;48:154-160.
16. Criconia AM, et al. Results of treatment with S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine patients with major depression and internal illnesses. Curr Ther Res 1994;55:666-674.
17. Alfthan G, et al. Plasma homocysteine and cardiovascular disease mortality. Lancet 1997;349:397.
February 2001; Volume 3; 13
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