title: The Antipsychotic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In humans, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for cell membranes, brain function and nerve transmission continuation. When animals are exposed to a new environment-or as a result of an apomorphine application that creates an agonistic effect on D1 and D2 receptors-they display behavioral reactions like rearing and stereotypy. This study aims to reveal the possible antipsychotic and oxidative effects of omega-3 fatty acids by comparing with chlorpromazine, a conventional antipsychotic drug, through evaluating the novelty-induced rearing and apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviors, as well as malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight, adult, male, Wistar rats were used in the study. Briefly, 4 groups of rats (n = 7) were administered docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (300 mg/kg; DHA: 120 mg/kg + EPA: 180 mg/kg intraperitoneally [IP]), DHA + EPA (150 mg/kg; DHA: 60 mg/kg + EPA: 90 mg/kg IP), chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg, IP) and isotonic saline (1 mL/kg, IP). One hour later, apomorphine (2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered to each rat. After the apomorphine administration, rats were observed for stereotypic behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study shows that omega-3 fatty acids, "similar to antipsychotics," reversed the psychotic like effects, increase of oxidants and decrease of antioxidants that are composed experimentally in rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of omega-3 fatty acids has antipsychotic effects and causes an oxidative imbalance. This study adds new evidence to the current literature regarding the possible antipsychotic effects of omega-3 fatty acids.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry (MHK, USC) and Physiology (RD), Faculty of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey; and Departments of Psychiatry (SI) and Physiology (OE), Faculty of Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Hanifi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kokacya
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inanir
authors.forename: Umit Sertan
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Copoglu
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dokuyucu
authors.forename: Oytun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erbas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D005978:Glutathione; D001058:Apomorphine; D002746:Chlorpromazine