Dopamine receptor alterations in female rats with diet-induced decreased brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): interactions with reproductive status.
Decreased tissue levels of n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are implicated in the etiologies of non-puerperal and postpartum depression. This study examined the effects of a diet-induced loss of brain DHA content and concurrent reproductive status on dopaminergic parameters in adult female Long-Evans rats. An alpha-linolenic acid-deficient diet and breeding protocols were used to produce virgin and parous female rats with cortical phospholipid DHA levels 20-22% lower than those fed a control diet containing adequate alpha-linolenic acid. Decreased brain DHA produced a significant main effect of decreased density of ventral striatal D(2)-like receptors. Virgin females with decreased DHA also exhibited higher density of D(1)-like receptors in the caudate nucleus than virgin females with normal DHA. These receptor alterations are similar to those found in several rodent models of depression, and are consistent with the proposed hypodopaminergic basis for anhedonia and motivational deficits in depression.
Davis
Paul F
PF
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center. Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
Ozias
Marlies K
MK
Carlson
Susan E
SE
Reed
Gregory A
GA
Winter
Michelle K
MK
McCarson
Kenneth E
KE
Levant
Beth
B
D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000032:analysis*; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000032:analysis; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000032:analysis; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010743:Phospholipids; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D004958:Estradiol