Neuroprotective effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on spinal cord injury induced rats

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA n3) ameliorate inflammation in different diseases and potentially improve neurological function after neuronal injury. Following spinal cord injury (SCI), inflammatory events result in caspase-1 mediated activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) and 18. We aim to evaluate the neuroprotective potency of PUFA n3 in suppressing the formation and activation of inflammasomes following SCI. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, SCI, SCI+PUFA n3, and SCI+Lipofundin MCT (medium-chain triglyceride; vehicle). PUFA n3 or vehicle was intravenously administered immediately after SCI and every 24 h for the next three days. We analyzed the expression of NLRP3, NLRP1, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1b, and 18 in the spinal cord. The distribution of microglia, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes was assessed by immunohistochemistry analysis. Behavioral testing showed significantly improved locomotor recovery in PUFA n3-treated animals and the SCI-induced upregulation of inflammasome components was reduced. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the suppression of microgliosis, increased numbers of oligodendrocytes, and the prevention of demyelination by PUFA n3. Our data support the neuroprotective role of PUFA n3 by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings provide evidence that PUFA n3 has therapeutic effects which potentially attenuate neuronal damage in SCI and possibly also in other neuronal injuries.

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Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Improve the Neurolipidome and Restore the DHA Status while Promoting Functional Recovery after Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1089/neu.2012.2718 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 30 (10) ◽

pp. 853-868 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Johnny D. Figueroa ◽

Kathia Cordero ◽

Miguel S. llán ◽

Marino De Leon

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Functional Recovery ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Experimental Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Cord Injury

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Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prophylaxis and Treatment after Spinal Cord Injury in Rodent Models

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2020/3164260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Piotr Wojdasiewicz ◽

Łukasz A. Poniatowski ◽

Paweł Turczyn ◽

Justyna Frasuńska ◽

Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Cell Membranes ◽

Oxidative Stress Marker ◽

Rodent Models ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Essential Components ◽

Cord Injury

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 acids, PUFAs) are essential components of cell membranes in all mammals. A multifactorial beneficial influence of ω-3 fatty acids on the health of humans and other mammals has been observed for many years. Therefore, ω-3 fatty acids and their function in the prophylaxis and treatment of various pathologies have been subjected to numerous studies. Regarding the documented therapeutic influence of ω-3 fatty acids on the nervous and immune systems, the aim of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge and the critical assessment of the role of ω-3 fatty acids in the prophylaxis and treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models. The prophylactic properties (pre-SCI) include the stabilization of neuron cell membranes, the reduction of the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and KC/GRO/CINC), the improvement of local blood flow, reduced eicosanoid production, activation of protective intracellular transcription pathways (dependent on RXR, PPAR-α, Akt, and CREB), and increased concentration of lipids, glycogen, and oligosaccharides by neurons. On the other hand, the therapeutic properties (post-SCI) include the increased production of endogenous antioxidants such as carnosine and homocarnosine, the maintenance of elevated GSH concentrations at the site of injury, reduced concentrations of oxidative stress marker (MDA), autophagy improvement (via increasing the expression of LC3-II), and p38 MAPK expression reduction in the superficial dorsal horns (limiting the sensation of neuropathic pain). Paradoxically, despite the well-documented protective activity of ω-3 acids in rodents with SCI, the research does not offer an answer to the principal question of the optimal dose and treatment duration. Therefore, it is worth emphasizing the role of multicenter rodent studies with the implementation of standards which initially may even be based on arbitrary criteria. Additionally, basing on available research data, the authors of this paper make a careful attempt at referring some of the conclusions to the human population.

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Does Consumption of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Affect Lipid Profile and Fasting Blood Glucose in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury? A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Topics in Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1097/tin.0000000000000051 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 333-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hadis Sabour ◽

Abbas Norouzi Javidan ◽

Sahar Latifi ◽

Hania Shakeri ◽

Farid Arman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Double Blinded

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Neuroprotective Effect of Epidural Electrical Stimulation against Ischemic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-200507000-00015 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 84-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Manabu Kakinohana ◽

Hideki Harada ◽

Yasunori Mishima ◽

Tatsuhiko Kano ◽

Kazuhiro Sugahara

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Spinal Cord Ischemia ◽

Aortic Occlusion ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Optimal Setting ◽

Transient Aortic Occlusion ◽

Ischemic Spinal Cord Injury

Background Electroconvulsion therapy is likely to serve as an effective preconditioning stimulus for inducing tolerance to ischemic brain injury. The current study examines whether electrical stimuli on the spinal cord is also capable of inducing tolerance to ischemic spinal cord injury by transient aortic occlusion. Methods Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta in combination with maintaining systemic hypotension (40 mmHg) during the procedure. Animals implanted with epidural electrodes were divided into four groups according to electrical stimulation and sham. Two groups consisted of rapid preconditioning (RE group, n = 8) and sham procedure (RC group, n = 8) 30 min before 9 min of spinal cord ischemia. In the two groups that underwent delayed preconditioning, rats were exposed to 9 min of aortic occlusion 24 h after either pretreatment with epidural electrical stimulation (DE group, n = 8) or sham (DC group, n = 8). In addition, rats were exposed to 6-11 min of spinal cord ischemia at 30 min or 24 h after epidural electrical stimulation or sham stimulation. The group P50 represents the duration of spinal cord ischemia associated with 50% probability of resultant paraplegia. Results Pretreatment with electrical stimulation in the DE group but not the RE group protected the spinal cord against ischemia, and this stimulation prolonged the P50 by approximately 15.0% in the DE group compared with the DC group. Conclusions Although the optimal setting for this electrical preconditioning should be determined in future studies, the results suggest that epidural electrical stimulation will be a useful approach to provide spinal protection against ischemia.

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