SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .
Preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial carried out with a fixed combination of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and betaine versus amitriptyline in patients with mild depression
Background S-adenosyl-L-methionine ( SAMe ) , a safe , endogenous , pleiotropic methyl donor well known for its antidepressant role , has been assumed to have a possible role in increasing plasma levels of compounds known to be able to raise cardiovascular risk . Although the issue is still being debated , betaine ( trimethylglycine ) , a specific methyl donor involved in the homocysteine circuit , may be able to reduce such a risk and /or , by determining a sparing effect on endogenous SAMe , may be able to improve the clinical efficiency of SAMe itself . Indeed , preliminary results have shown clinical improvement determined by an add-on therapy with betaine administered along with SAMe , versus SAMe alone , to patients affected by mild/moderate depression . Aim To evaluate the safety and antidepressant role played by the association of SAMe plus betaine versus amitriptyline administered in untreated individuals with a recent diagnosis of mild depression . Methods This small , open-label , r and omized , observational study enrolled 64 individuals with a diagnosis of mild depression according to the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale . After r and omization , they were treated with either Laroxyl ® ( amitriptyline , 75 mg/day ) or DDM Metile ® ( enteric-coated SAMe , 500 mg/day , plus betaine , 250 mg/day ) for 12 months . Assessment of clinical scores and tolerability was performed at T=0 and after 3 , 6 , and 12 months . Results After 3 months , both treatments showed a small and not statistically significant improvement . After 6 and 12 months , both treated groups demonstrated a more noticeable improved response , although the group treated with SAMe plus betaine showed better results in terms of score , number of individuals in remission , and side effects . Compliance was overlapping in both treatments . Conclusion The association of SAMe plus betaine seems to be a safe and effective tool to counteract mild depression and also when used as monotherapy in subjects with a recent diagnosis
SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .