S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe) And Improved Methylation Offer A Serious Alternative To Orthodox Medications

Can S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe) and improved methylation offer a serious alternative to orthodox medications in the treatment of depression?

Abstract

In this dissertation we consider the issues surrounding the use of SAMe as an antidepressant. There are many different aspects to this consideration.

We start by a consideration of exactly what depression is on a clinical basis and examine the psychological and physiological changes that characterise the condition. We then consider and examine the evolution of the current forms of antidepressant medication.

We explore the fields of neurochemistry and pathophysiology of depressive states with particular emphasis on the chemistry of the methylation reaction and its relevance to the SAMe compound.

Consideration is then given to SAMe specifically as a medication and the evidence that there is to support its apparent beneficial effect in depression. This is then expanded with a review of the chemistry of SAMe and its interactions with other biologically active entities.

We conclude the exploration with a critical review of the published literature that is relevant to the role of SAMe as an antidepressant agent.

Introduction

In order to investigate the full extent of the question at the heart of this dissertation we must examine a number of background issues in some detail first. Depression is a complex clinical state. It has been said that there are as many theories about the aetiology and treatments for depression as there are clinicians thinking about the problem. (LeDoux, J. 1996). A brief examination of the literature on the subject tells us that this comment, although clearly intended to be flippant, may not actually be so very far from the truth.

Perhaps it is because of the plethora of hypotheses, ideas and theories on the issue that there are also a considerable number of forms of treatment that are commonly employed. It has to be admitted that some are rational and some appear to be completely irrational. In this dissertation we shall examine some of the more rational forms of psychopharmacology in order to understand the place of SAMe in the therapeutic pharmacopoeia.

Depression is a commonly occurring illness. It will significantly affect between 10-25% of women and approximately half that number of men during their lifetimes. Approximately 5 million people in the UK will experience significant depression in any given year. (Breggin 1994)

If you suffer from an acute or chronic illness you are even more likely to suffer from depressive states with frequencies ranging from 30-50% depending upon the nature and severity of the illness. (Robertson et al 1997)

What is depression ?

There are many definitions of clinical depression and indeed many different rating scales which purport to try to quantify it. It is important to distinguish between clinical depression and simply feeling down or miserable. Depressive illness typically occurs in episodes although in some cases it can actually last for many months or even years. (Skolnick, P. 1999). One severe depressive episode is a major independent risk factor for getting further episodes. In other words, having had depression once you are statistically considerably more likely to have another attack. (Post RM. 1992).

For our purposes we shall consider a practical overview of the nine classic symptoms that characterise classical depression

1. Depressed mood for most of the day

2. Disturbed appetite or change in weight

3. Disturbed sleep

4. Psychomotor retardation or agitation

5. Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities; inability to enjoy usual hobbies or activities

6. Fatigue or loss of energy

7. Feelings of worthlessness; excessive and/or inappropriate guilt

8. Difficulty in concentrating or thinking clearly

9. Morbid or suicidal thoughts or actions.

(After Zuess 2003)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) states that in order to merit a diagnosis of clinical depression you need to demonstrate at least five of these symptoms and that they represent a change in your life.

Mood alterations are commonplace in depressive states. The depressed patient will classically feel despair or sadness. Pleasure becomes an alien emotion as they tend to progressively loose interest in activities that they would have previously enjoyed. Mood swings can also occur although they are more commonly found in bipolar states (manic depression). Subjective feelings of tension or irritability are often described as well as just sadness. (Duman et al 1997)

In addition to mood changes, depression can also produce changes in the emotional state as well. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt are perhaps the commonest emotions in the clinical spectrum. This is closely followed by both ineptitude and lack of confidence in one’s own abilities or capabilities. It is common for depressed people to take action that avoids them having to take responsibility because of an overwhelming fear of failure. (Altar CA 1999)

Somatic manifestations of depression are perhaps easier to quantify as they have a qualitative characteristic about them as opposed to the purely subjective. Changes in appetite are commonly found. Generally it is an anorexic change with a decrease in appetite and a loss of interest in food generally. Less frequently, the converse is observed with a voracious increase in appetite (comfort eating) which is normally associated with weight gain. This weight gain can be quite substantial in extreme cases.

Sleep disturbances are commonplace. Insomnia and early waking are perhaps the commonest of this type of symptom. This can occur despite severe subjective symptoms of somatic tiredness and fatigue. Some people will find that fatigue is a prominent symptom and may find that this is translated into excessive sleeping and motor retardation generally.

Fatigue is actually more difficult to quantify, but it is commonly experienced by the depressed patient. It can either be an overwhelming tiredness (lack of energy) or perhaps lack of stamina (tiring too easily). Associated with this is often a reduction in libido and, if severe, impotence can also occur. It is not unusual to find sexual avoidance behaviours developing in these circumstances. (Janicak et al 1989)

Concentration is commonly impaired. Generally speaking the greater the degree of depression, the greater is the degree of concentration impairment. Thinking and reasoning processes slow down and the attention span is often markedly reduced. Students find they can have an inability to study and if severe, patients report an inability to even sit and watch television. (Bazin et al 1994)

Somatic symptoms can occur without the psychological elements of the depression being apparent or obvious. This is a common clinical dilemma. Patients may enter a phase of denial or minimisation where they will not accept that they are actually depressed. They can try to rationalise their physical symptomatology into other disease processes. This can be mistaken for hypochondriasis. (De Vanna et al 1992)

If depression is severe (or occasionally part of a symptom complex of another underlying pathology), then psychosis can be found. Delusional states are not uncommon in severe depression. Hallucinations can occur, but they are comparatively unusual. Patients can state that they hear voices telling them that they are worthless or perhaps instructing them to kill themselves. Although this is consistent with a depressive diagnosis, one should note that other illnesses such as schizophrenia must clearly be considered and excluded before a confident diagnosis of depression can be made.

The actual basis or specific triggering factors for depression are not yet clearly defined but we do know that a number of different biological factors are relevant. Environmental factors, together with both genetic and neurobiological elements are all capable of influencing the overall clinical picture. (Kendler KS, 1998).

Depression is broadly divided into endogenous and reactive types. In general terms endogenous depression is thought to be influenced the genetic and neurobiological factors whereas reactive depression may well have environmental factors as being relevant. This has considerable implications in our considerations of the possible actions of SAMe. (Gold et al 1988)

Pharmacology of depression

This is a vast subject and is generally considered to be a sub-speciality in its own right. It has long been recognised that certain substances appear to be able to exert a mood elevating effect. The advent of modern psychopharmacology allowed us to develop an understanding into just how some of these substances work. The drugs and medicines that are in common use today are the result of a process of evolution that, arguably, began with the uses of herbs at the beginning of recorded history and progressed to the chemically and biologically sophisticated compounds that are in use today. (Peinell and Smith 2003)

In order to put the SAMe compounds into their appropriate place in the continuum we need to look at some of the evolutionary developments in the field.

Most of the currently used antidepressants work by interfering in some way with the actions of the various neurotransmitters in the brain. Many work by slowing down the biological processes of degradation or destruction of these neurotransmitters. In purely simplistic terms, this results in a greater concentration of the neurotransmitter at the critical synaptic interfaces within the brain. (Levine et al 1998)

The first real breakthrough with what could be considered to be a major therapeutic agent for depressive states came with the discovery of the MAOI (Monoamine Oxidse Inhibitors), group of drugs. Three were commonly used in clinical practice – isocarboxazid, phemelzine and tranlcypromine. For a while they were used extensively but it became obvious that they had serious drawbacks including some potentially fatal side effects. (Saarelainen et al 2003),

Headaches dizziness and tremor were not unusual accompaniments of the drug. They also had the ability to interact with other medications and certain types of food (tyrosine containing foods such as cheese could cause hypertensive crises). Despite these drawbacks, many patients were willing to take them because they indisputably worked. (Skolnick 1999)

In time, the MAOis were superseded by the Tricyclic group of drugs. There were four in common use, namely amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine and nortriptyline. These were generally speaking, marginally more effective than the MAOIs but they were without the worst of the side effects. Despite that, they were still able to cause dry mouth and blurred vision in some people. Constipation and drowsiness were not unusual and they were not commonly used if a person also had hypertension. The pharmaceutical industry then produced a number of different categories of medication in fairly quick succession.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and NDRIs (Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors) all emerged into the market place. (Smith et al 2004)

It is probably fair to say that they all had their niches in the therapeutic spectrum but the SSRIs were seen to corner the biggest share of the clinical market with citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline as examples of the group. Fluoxetine was probably the most widely used and its trade name, Prozac was accepted almost as a household word.

The side effect profile of this particular group was certainly less significant than their predecessors, but nausea and headaches were not uncommon. (Stewart et al 2000),

The SNRIs fell into disuse largely because of their reputation in raising cholesterol levels and the NDRIs were found to cause unacceptable agitation in certain groups.

There was then an emergence of a group of drugs which not only blocked the mechanisms that removed the trophic neurotransmitters from the synapse they also had an effect which effectively enhanced their action by blocking the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitters at the same time. There are several types of medication in this category, but perhaps the best known is maprotilene. Like most of the other types of effective medication, it is not without side effects. Drowsiness, nausea, dizziness and a dry mouth are common accompanying symptoms of a therapeutic dose of this medication. (Harmer et al 2003)

Neurochemistry and pathophysiology of depression

So far we have take a brief and admittedly comparatively simplistic tour of the nature and pharmacology of depression. We shall now look at the neurochemistry and pathophysiology of certain relevant aspects of the subject in more detail.

In general terms, stress and antidepressants appear to have reciprocal actions on neuronal growth and to some extent, on their activity (see on). This appears to be through the mediation of various neurotrophins and the action of synaptic plasticity mainly in the region of the hippocampus and some other brain structures (Reid et al 2001).

Various stresses appear to disturb and disrupt the activity, both of individual neurones and also larger functional groups, or networks of neurones whereas antidepressants appear to antagonise this disruptive ability. (Henke 1990) There is a large body of opinion which agrees with the hypothesis that regulation of synaptic activity is a major key to the pathophysiology of depression and related disorders. (Drevets et al 1997)

The discovery of the MAOI group of drugs (above) led researchers to speculate that the monoamine group of neurotransmitters were central to the aetiology of depression. As more research is done it is becoming apparent that this may not actually be the case. It is now considered more likely that the fundamental problems lie further along the metabolic cascade from the monoamine oxidase activity. It is also considered likely that the pathology may well not be just a chemical imbalance, but may well involve other functions of neural tissue such as various cellular changes in physiology, genetic factors and the ability of neuronal network to change their characteristics. (Czyrak et al 1992)

Observational studies have suggested that early life experiences, the impact of stress and the presence or absence of social support or interactions all have an influence on the development of a depressive state. (Gould et al 1998).Consideration of the monoamine chemistry clearly does not account for all of these factors although it is clearly acknowledged that it does play an important contributory role.

Some recent work relating to the chronic use of different classes of antidepressants (Duman et al 1997), has appeared to show that they all are able to increase the production of the neuroprotective groups of proteins which, amongst other actions, play a central role in the plasticity of neurones. Current thinking is that this may well be a common function of a number of different pathways that the different antidepressants exploit.

It is known that increases in monoamine levels in the synaptic region result (by a number of different mechanisms) and are associated with the induction of enzyme systems that control gene expression within the neurone. This can be inferred from the finding of increases in the levels of messenger RNA which codes for the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). These levels slowly increase with chronicity of administration of antidepressants and this mechanism may well account therefore for the commonly observed slow and progressive onset of action of most of the antidepressant drugs.

It is proposed that CREB triggers the production of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This is significant since other work has shown that stress antagonises the levels of BDNF which is opposed by the actions of the antidepressant drugs. (Smith et al 1995). Further credence is given to this theory with the discovery that placing BDNF directly into the brain of experimental animals appeared to relieve many of the behaviour patterns that are associated with depression (Siuciak et al 1997)

Some authors have suggested that depression may represent a particularly subtle form of neural degenerative disorder as it has been shown that the hippocampus becomes progressively atrophic in chronic depressive states. This is particularly significant as BDNF is thought to reverse such findings. (Shah et al 1998). There is associated supporting evidence in the form of a study by Vaidya (et al 1999) which shows that ECT treatment (which was always assumed to be detrimental to the neural structure and physiology) is associated with both increased levels of BDNF and trophic changes in the hippocampal neurones.

A paper by Czyrak (et al 1992) looked at the antidepressant activity of SAMe in mice and rats in a way that clearly is not possible in humans. It is not always possible to directly extrapolate findings from animals to humans, but there are some pieces of evidence in this work which strongly implicate SAMe in the pathogenesis of depression. The paper itself is extremely long and complex but the relevant parts to our considerations here are the fact that normal geographical exploratory behaviour in rodents tends to diminish if a depressive state is induced. To some extent, exploratory behaviour is therefore considered a marker for the depressive state. It was found that SAMe tended to increase exploratory activity in mice. This, and other more sophisticated testing of the pharmacological interactions of SAMe showed that it tended to have the same psychopharmacological profile as many of the mainstream antidepressants.

Many of the neurotransmitters and for that matter some neuroactive hormones have been variously implicated in the aetiology of depression (eg thyroid hormones and noradrenaline). (Nemeroff, 1998). Modern research has most consistently found that alterations in the levels of serotonin (5-HT) (Melzter H, 1989), system and the chemicals of the Limbic Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (LHPA) axis. (Kathol et al 1989), as the most consistently implicated mechanisms that appear to be associated with the control of the mood stabilising and regulating mechanisms. It is in fact very likely that both these mechanisms are in some way interlinked as part of the regulatory mechanism of mood.

We have already referred to the role of stress in the aetiology of depression. We know that the adrenal glucocorticoid hormones subtly interact with the 5-HT system and these are produced in direct response to stress. (Lopez et al 1999) (I). We also know that the glucocorticoids have a number of direct effects on the Limbic Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (LHPA) axis. It may be that this is the mechanism by which stress antagonises the changes brought about by SAMe. (Lopez et al 1999) (II)

We do not need to consider the effects of the corticoids on the LHPA axis in detail as it is only of peripheral relevance to our considerations here. The important consideration in this regard is that the LHPA axis is intimately connected to the hippocampus. It is this structure that is the intermediate step and connection between the body’s hormonal response to stress and the response of the higher functions of the brain. (Dallman et al 1987).

The immediate relevance of all this to the actions of SAMe are that hyperactivity of both the hippocampus and the LHPA axis are both well documented in cases of clinical depression. This has been shown to also be associated with high levels of corticosteroid production (Kalin et al 1987), but one study has shown that in suicide cases who have had profound depression the hippocampus has fewer corticosteroid receptor sites than one might normally expect (Lopez et al 1998).

One further piece of clinical evidence in the role of the corticosteroids in depression is that patients with Cushings disease have a high incidence of depression. This incidence returns to normal when their hormonal over-activity is treated and returned back to physiological levels. (Murphy 1991)

SAMe as a medication

SAMe was discovered in Italy in 1952 during research into the chemistry of neurotransmitters. It was not, however, introduced in a useable form for patient benefit until 1974 (as SAMe sulphate-paratoluene-sulphonate). It is for this reason that the majority of the early papers and work on the subject are almost exclusively Italian in origin. (De Vanna et al 1992)

SAMe has been used clinically in a number of conditions including cholestasis, osteoarthritis and depression. (Carney et al 1987) Although there is a wealth of literature on the first two elements it is not relevant to our considerations here. We shall therefore restrict this discussion to the spectrum of its use in the field of depression.

A number of studies have shown that SAMe has useful activity in depressive illness. Studies that have compared it to placebo have found that it can consistently produce about a 6 point increase on the Hamilton rating scale after about three weeks of optimum treatment. This finding is approximately in line with the results that are found with most of the other clinically effective antidepressant medications. (Cooper et al 1999) (De Vanna et al 1992)

Some studies have found that using SAMe in a large dose has produced an unusually rapid onset of beneficial effects (Kagan 1990)

One could argue that, because it is a naturally occurring substance, it would not be likely to have a high side-effect profile. Although these two statements do not always follow, it is generally true. A study by Bressa (1994) on the issue showed that it did have a particularly low side-effect profile, particularly when compared to the other antidepressants (Tricyclics). To demonstrate this point further, we can point to the study by Caruso (et al 1987) where there were a greater number of patient withdrawals due to the side effects of the placebo than withdrew because of the SAMe drug. For the record, that particular trial was in it’s use as an antiarthritic rather than an antidepressant, but the point is made.

The two major unwanted clinical effects are nausea and hypomania. The nausea is not a local effect on the gut lining but appears to be a centrally mediated effect and is possibly caused by the same phenomenon of over-stimulation of the neuronal networks which causes the other major clinical manifestation of hypomania. For this reason it is generally not used in cases of bipolar disorder. (De Vanna et al 1992)

It is probably not strictly accurate to refer to SAMe as a drug as it is normally found in the cellular matrix.

It has been found to be effective in patients who have been unable to tolerate other forms of antidepressants or, for that matter, have had minimal response to them.

(Reynolds et al, 1984)

Young (1993) produced a particularly interesting review of dietary treatments for depression. A lot of his article is not relevant to our considerations here, but he makes a number of interesting and relevant observations. Low serotonin levels are known to be associated with depression even though low levels on their own do not appear to cause the condition. It appears that it needs to be in combination with a low level of folic acid. We know that low levels of folic acid are also often found in combination with depressive illness and that low levels of folate are often associated with low levels of SAMe. The evidence points to the fact that the low levels of serotonin are more likely to be a result of the low SAMe levels in neural tissue and that this is more likely to be nearer to the root of the main anomaly that causes depression.

Pregnancy is known to be associated with low levels of folate and post natal depression is a well recognised clinical entity. Salmaggi (et al 1993) considered the effects of SAMe in the postnatal period. This was a well considered and constructed study. It was a double blind placebo controlled trial over a 30 day period and had an entry cohort of 80 women. The degree of depression was assessed before, during and after the trial on the Hamilton Scale. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the SAMe group when compared to the placebo group. The authors comment that there were no significant side effects of the medication encountered.

Because we know that any beneficial effect that SAMe is likely to have on a patient tends to be seen more quickly than with the other antidepressants, and also, by virtue of what we suspect about its probable mode of action in the hippocampus and elsewhere in the brain, it seems a logical step for someone to look into the effects of giving SAMe alongside a conventional antidepressants to see if there is either any synergistic effect or possibly a speeding up of the clinical onset of the secondary medication.

The study by Berlanga (et al 1992) did exactly that. Unfortunately the trial was not particularly rigorous in its design as although it was double blind, it was not placebo controlled, which would appear to have been the method of choice in this type of investigation. Its other problem as that it only had an entry cohort of 40 patients. Despite these limitations it was indeed shown that depressed patients who took SAMe in conjunction with other antidepressant medication found that the depressive symptoms resolved faster with the SAMe added to their normal treatment regime.

There are one or two other less important papers which we shall only mention in passing. Kagan (et al 1990) ran a small trial on 15 inpatients (with very severe depression) and found SAMe to be a safe, effective antidepressant with few side effects and a rapid onset of action. This particular trial is notable as it was the first to report the side effect of mania in a patient who didn’t have a previous history.

Another is the trial by Rosenbaum (et al 1990). This particular trial is notable for the demonstration of the fact that about 20% of other treatment resistant patients experienced benefit with SAMe.

Faya (et al 1990) (II) considered the fact that SAMe is thought to exert its effect through its action in increasing dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft. It is known that dopamine inhibits the production of both Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and Prolactin from the pituitary gland. Faya considered measuring the levels of both TSH and Prolactin during treatment with SAMe. His findings constituted something of a surprise insofar as in the men in the trial group had their levels of TSH and Prolactin reduced which is consistent with the hypothesis that SAMe increases the dopamine levels in the brain. Much to everybody’s surprise, this effect was not seen in the female group. The authors do not offer any explanation of this fact.

For the record, there is another trial (Thomas et al 1987), which obviously considered the same phenomenon and their trial did not show any sex linked difference in the suppression of the Prolactin levels

With regards to efficacy, a trial by Carney (et al 1986) suggests that the beneficial action of SAMe is restricted to endogenous depression and it does not appear to have any action above placebo on reactive depression. As far as we can ascertain, this is the only trial published that has made this suggestion, although from a first principles basis, one can see the biochemical rationale for believing that it might well be the case.

On a purely empirical grounds, some authors have recommended (on the basis of scant hard evidence), that SAMe’s action can be maximised by the addition of B12, B6 and folic acid. It is known that SAMe is required to convert these agents into their active form as a coenzyme. (Morrison et al, 1996). The same author also recommends the simultaneous adminstration of Trimethylglycine (TMG) which is necessary for the intracellular conversion of methionine into SAMe by the provision of the necessary methyl- groups. Comment has to be made that again, this appears to be a completely empirical (and logical) suggestion, but we cannot find any hard evidence to substantiate its clinical use.

Chemistry

SAMe is a basic component of cellular biochemistry. It occurs in every living cell and is second in importance only to ATP in both the number variety and significance of the reactions in which it serves as a cofactor. (Stramentinoli 1987).

It is central in the chemistry of the transmethylation reactions. In essence its cellular function is to transfer the active methyl group form carrier molecules to a multitude of other molecules. In general terms, this methylation makes inert molecules biologically active.

In addition to the transmethylation reactions it also plays a central role in transsulfuration and aminopropylation reactions

It is involved in the synthesis of proteins including the nucleic acids, fatty acids, lipids and phospholipids, porphyrins and polysaccharides. In terms of our considerations here, perhaps the most significant reaction type that SAMe is involved in is the generation of the neurotransmitter amines. In this regard it is considered to be the most biologically significant provider of methyl groups within the cell. (Baldessarini 1987). Significantly it is also involved in the pathways to produce a number of other neurologically active compounds such as adrenaline, the neuronutrients acetyl l-carnitine and phosphatidyl choline (Mathews et al 1990)

It is also to be found in the metabolic pathways of both serotonin and dopamine. Oral administration has been shown to increase the metabolites of these compounds in the CSF (implying increased turnover). It is thought to exert its antidepressive effect partly through the mechanism of increasing the levels of both dopamine and serotonin as neurotransmitters, but it also appears to have some form of trophic action on some of the neurones in the brain cortex. (Baldessarini 1987)

It has been demonstrated that the tissue levels of SAMe tend to diminish with age and blood levels are also found to be low in some cases of clinical depression

(Baldessarini 1987)

A methyl group (CH3) is a group of three hydrogen atoms bound to one carbon atom. It does not exist in a stable isolated form and is transported between molecules by intermediaries such as SAMe. Methylation is the process by which this group is transferred from the methyl donor molecule to the recipient molecule.

In general terms this process is central to the control of many of the intracellular pathways. Giving a methyl group to an enzyme is often the key to activating it, and thereby beginning a synthesis or degradation process elsewhere in the cell. Equally removing the methyl group will render the enzyme inactive and stop that particular pathway. Similar mechanisms are involved in the expression of genes and therefore the production of proteins within the cell.

Some specific methylation reactions include the methylation of phenols which detoxify them and thereby aid in their excretion. (Stramentinoli 1987)

In the context of this dissertation, methylation is also central to the metabolic chemistry of serotonin (and therefore also melatonin). The activity of both these compounds is effectively regulated by the presence of a methyl group.

SAMe is synthesised from methionine, a naturally occurring amino acid. As the name implies (METH-ionine), it contains a methyl group. By utilising the energy supplied by ATP and in the presence of magnesium, it is converted into SAMe. The process is catalysed by the intervention of the enzyme MAT (methionine adenosyl