Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid prevent a decrease in dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitters in frontal cortex caused by a linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid deficient diet in formula-fed piglets.
This study examined the effects of diets deficient (D) in linoleic [18:2(n-6)] and linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] at 0.8 and 0.05% energy, respectively, or adequate (C) in 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3) at 8.3 and 0.8% energy, respectively, without (-) or with (+) 0.2% energy arachidonic [20:4(n-6)] and 0.16% energy docosahexaenoic [22:6(n-3)] acid in piglets fed from birth to 18 d. Frontal cortex dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitters and phospholipid fatty acids were measured. Piglets fed the D- diet had significantly lower frontal cortex dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations than did piglets fed the C- diets. Frontal cortex dopamine, norepinephrine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin and 5-HIAA were higher in piglets fed the D+ compared to those fed the D- diet (P < 0.05) and not different between piglets fed the D+ and those fed the C- diets or the C- and C+ diets. Piglets fed the D- diet had lower frontal cortex phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 20:4(n-6) and PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) 22:6(n-3) than did piglets fed the C- diet (P < 0.05). Piglets fed the D+ diet had higher frontal cortex PC and PI 20:4(n-6) and PC, PE, PS and PI 22:6(n-3) than did piglets fed the D- diet. These studies show that dietary essential fatty acid deficiency fed for 18 d from birth affects frontal cortex neurotransmitters in rapidly growing piglets and that these changes are specifically due to 20:4(n-6) and/or 22:6(n-3).
de la Presa Owens
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S
Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V5Z 4H4.
Innis
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SM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D002395:Catecholamines; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids