Omega-3 fatty acids on the forced-swimming test.
OBJECTIVE
Based on the findings of epidemiological data and recent clinical trials, omega-3 fatty acids seem to have a preventive and therapeutic effect on depression.


METHODS
We examined the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the forced-swimming test (FST) in two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats after a six-week treatment with two different diets. Behavioral responses were observed and recorded during the 5-min test. The fatty acid composition from the whole brain tissue and the RBC membrane of the rats were analyzed.


RESULTS
Comparing to control diet, omega-3 fatty acid diet significantly decreased the immobility time (218 +/- 16 vs. 183 +/- 19s, p = 0.001) and increased behaviors of swimming (32 +/- 7 vs. 45 +/- 9s, p = 0.012) and climbing (50 +/- 10 vs. 73 +/- 14s, p = 0.011) during the FST. The group in omega-3 fatty acid diet had higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 50% increase) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 63% increase) in the brain, and of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 27% increase) in the peripheral RBC membrane. The level of brain DHA is negatively correlated to the immobility time (r = -0.654, p = 0.006) and is positively correlated to the swimming time (r = 0.69, p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The result shows that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on preventing the development of depression-like behaviors in rats with the FST.
Huang
Shih-Yi
SY
Graduate Institute of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
Yang
Hui-Ting
HT
Chiu
Chih-Chiang
CC
Pariante
Carmine M
CM
Su
Kuan-Pin
KP
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids