Anandamide and diet: inclusion of dietary arachidonate and docosahexaenoate leads to increased brain levels of the corresponding N-acylethanolamines in piglets.
Endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors have been discovered recently and include some N-acylethanolamines (NAEs; e.g., N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and some 2-acylglycerols (e.g., sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol). Previously, we found these compounds to be active biologically when administered per os in large quantities to mice. In the present work, piglets were fed diets with and without 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 fatty acid precursors of NAEs, in levels similar to those found in porcine milk, during the first 18 days of life, and corresponding brain NAEs were assessed. In piglets fed diets containing 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3, there were increases in several biologically active NAEs in brain homogenates-20:4n-6 NAE (4-fold), 20:5n-3 NAE (5-fold), and 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 NAE (9- to 10-fold). These results support a mechanism we propose for dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids influences on brain biochemistry with presumed functional sequelae. This paradigm will enable targeted investigations to determine whether and why specific populations such as infants, elderly, or persons suffering from certain clinical conditions may benefit from dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Berger
A
A
Nestlé Research Center, Nestec Ltd., Vers-chez-les-Blanc, CH-1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland. alvin.berger@dis.nestle.com
Crozier
G
G
Bisogno
T
T
Cavaliere
P
P
Innis
S
S
Di Marzo
V
V
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D013552:Swine
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; C022203:N-acylethanolamines; D010743:Phospholipids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; C078814:anandamide