Correlation between level of (n - 3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain phospholipids and learning ability in rats. A multiple generation study.
The effects of dietary n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on major brain phospholipids were examined in the rat throughout four generations. Dietary fats were: a seal oil (22:6(n - 3) located mainly in the sn-1/3-position of the TG); a fish oil (22:6(n - 3) located mainly in the sn-2 position of the TG); or a vegetable oil containing 18:3(n - 3). The effect of the TG structure of the dietary fat and chain length of n - 3 PUFA on assimilation in the brain was compared with chow fed rats. The rats fed marine fats had significantly higher levels of long-chain n - 3 PUFAs in brain PE and PS, compared to the vegetable oil and chow fed rats, but no effects of TG structure of dietary fat were observed. Dietary 18:3(n - 3) raised the amount of 22:6(n - 3) compared to the control group, but not to the levels of the marine groups that received preformed 22:6(n - 3). Fish oil fed rats had higher levels of 20:5(n - 3) and 22:5(n - 3) compared with the seal oil fed rats, whereas 22:6(n - 3) were similar. Only minor changes in PI, PIP, and PIP2 were found. The fourth generation was tested for spatial learning ability in a Morris water maze. The experimental groups had similar learning abilities, which were increased compared to the control group.
Jensen
M M
MM
Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
Skarsfeldt
T
T
Høy
C E
CE
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018782:Maze Learning; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000032:analysis; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000032:analysis; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D010743:Phospholipids; D010938:Plant Oils