title: Oral consumption of α-linolenic acid increases serum BDNF levels in healthy adult humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dietary omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have remarkable impacts on the levels of DHA in the brain and retina. Low levels of DHA in plasma and blood hamper visual and neural development in children and cause dementia and cognitive decline in adults. The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) changes with dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake. BDNF is known for its effects on promoting neurogenesis and neuronal survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we examined the effect of the oral consumption of α-Linolenic acid (ALA) on blood levels of BDNF and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in healthy adult humans. 30 healthy volunteers, 15 men and 15 women, were selected randomly. Each individual served as his or her own control. Before consuming the Flaxseed oil capsules, 5cc blood from each individual was sampled in order to measure the plasma levels of BDNF and MDA as baseline controls. During the experiment, each individual was given 3 oral capsules of flaxseed oil, containing 500mg of alpha linolenic acid, daily for one week. Then, plasma levels of BDNF and MDA were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma levels of BDNF and MDA significantly (P < 0.05) increased in individuals who received the oral capsules of ALA. Plasma levels of BDNF increased more in the women in comparison with the men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ALA treatment could be a feasible approach to reduce size of infarcts in stroke patients. Thus, ALA could be used in adjunction with routine stroke therapies to minimize brain lesions caused by stroke.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mhadjighassem@tums.ac.ir.|Brain and Spinal Cord Research Center, School of Advanced Medical Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mhadjighassem@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mahmoudreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadjighassem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. kamalidehghan.behnam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Behnam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kamalidehghan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Nima.Shekarriz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shekarriz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. agv.bassirat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Argavan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baseerat
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mahditondar.bio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Molavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mehrpr@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrpour
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Joghataei@yahoo.com.|Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Joghataei@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Taghi
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Joghataei
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, USA. mt969@georgetown.edu.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tondar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ahmadipourf@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadipour
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. b_kamali92@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Goh Yong
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Meng
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008043:Linseed Oil