The pleiotropic effects of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid on the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
Among omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) is important for adequate brain development and cognition. DHA is highly concentrated in the brain and plays an essential role in brain functioning. DHA, one of the major constituents in fish fats, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier from blood to the brain. Its critical role was further supported by its reduced levels in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This agrees with a potential role of DHA in memory, learning and cognitive processes. Since there is yet no cure for dementia such as AD, there is growing interest in the role of DHA-supplemented diet in the prevention of AD pathogenesis. Accordingly, animal, epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies indicated that DHA has neuroprotective effects in a number of neurodegenerative conditions including AD. The beneficial effects of this key omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may depend on the stage of disease progression, other dietary mediators and the apolipoprotein ApoE genotype. Herein, our review investigates, from animal and cell culture studies, the molecular mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective potential of DHA with emphasis on AD.
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France. Electronic address: mounir.belkouch@insa-lyon.fr.
Mounir
M
Belkouch
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Mayssa
M
Hachem
Laboratoire des Sciences et Technologies de la Santé, Unité des Sciences Biomédicales, Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Université Hassan 1er, Settat, Morocco.
Abdeljalil
A
Elgot
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Amanda
A
Lo Van
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Madeleine
M
Picq
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Michel
M
Guichardant
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Michel
M
Lagarde
Université de Lyon, UMR INSERM 1060, UMR INRA 1397, IMBL/INSA-Lyon, Cardiovasculaire, Métabolisme, Diabétologie et Nutrition Laboratory, Bât Louis Pasteur, INSA, Villeurbanne, France.
Nathalie
N
Bernoud-Hubac
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000066829:Neuroprotection; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
Alzheimer's disease; ApoE e4; DHA; Neurodegeneration; Neuroprotection