An (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid-deficient diet disturbs daily locomotor activity, melatonin rhythm, and striatal dopamine in Syrian hamsters.
Several studies suggest that (n-3) PUFA may play a role in the regulation of cognitive functions, locomotor and exploratory activity, and affective disorders. Additionally, (n-3) PUFA affect pineal function, which is implicated in the sleep-wake rhythm. However, no studies to our knowledge have explored the role of PUFA on the circadian system. We investigated the effect of an (n-3) PUFA-deficient diet on locomotor and pineal melatonin rhythms in Syrian hamsters used as model species in circadian rhythm research. To assess the possible relationship between voluntary wheel running activity and dopaminergic neurotransmission, we also measured endogenous monoamine concentrations in the striatum. Two-month-old male hamsters, fed either an (n-3) PUFA-deficient or an (n-3) PUFA-adequate diet, were housed individually in cages equipped with run wheels. At 3 mo, cerebral structures were extracted for biochemical and cellular analysis. In (n-3) PUFA-deficient hamsters, the induced changes in the pineal PUFA membrane phospholipid composition were associated with a reduction in the nocturnal peak level of melatonin that was 52% lower than in control hamsters (P < 0.001). The (n-3) PUFA-deficient hamsters also had higher diurnal (P < 0.01) and nocturnal (P = 0.001) locomotor activity than the control hamsters, in parallel with activation of striatal dopaminergic function (P < 0.05). The (n-3) PUFA-deficient hamsters exhibited several symptoms: chronic locomotor hyperactivity, disturbance in melatonin rhythm, and striatal hyperdopaminergia. We suggest that an (n-3) PUFA-deficient diet lessens the melatonin rhythm, weakens endogenous functioning of the circadian clock, and plays a role in nocturnal sleep disturbances as described in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Lavialle
Monique
M
INRA, UR 909 Nutrition et Régulation Lipidique des Fonctions Cérébrales, F-78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France. monique.lavialle@jouy.inra.fr
Champeil-Potokar
Gaëlle
G
Alessandri
Jean Marc
JM
Balasse
Laure
L
Guesnet
Philippe
P
Papillon
Catherine
C
Pévet
Paul
P
Vancassel
Sylvie
S
Vivien-Roels
Berthe
B
Denis
Isabelle
I
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D004032:Diet; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008550:Melatonin; D004298:Dopamine