N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses stress-induced modifications on brain monoamine levels in mice
Journal of Lipid Research. 2008-02-01; 49(2): 340-348
DOI: 10.1194/jlr.M700328-JLR200
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Vancassel S(1), Leman S, Hanonick L, Denis S, Roger J, Nollet M, Bodard S,
Kousignian I, Belzung C, Chalon S.
Author information:
(1)Unité de Nutrition et Régulation Lipidique des Fonctions Cérébrales, Institut
National de la Recherche Agronomique, domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas
cedex, France.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of supplementation with n-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on stress responses in mice subjected to an
unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) procedure. Stress-induced modifications
in coat and aggressiveness were evaluated, and phospholipid PUFA profiles and
monoamine levels were analyzed in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum.
The results showed that repeated exposure to mild stressors induced degradation
in the physical state of the coat, lowered body weight gain, and increased
aggressiveness, without any effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation. The UCMS induced
a significant decrease in the levels of norepinephrine in the frontal cortex and
striatum, and a nonsignificant decrease in the hippocampus. The tissue levels of
serotonin (5-HT) were 40% to 65% decreased in the three brain regions studied.
Interestingly, the n-3 PUFA supplementation reversed this stress-induced
reduction in 5-HT levels. These findings showed that supplementation in n-3
long-chain PUFAs might reverse certain effects of UCMS in cerebral structures
involved in stress-related behaviors.