Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Induced Memory Impairment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can happen after exposure to a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among mental health disorders that include mood and anxiety disorders. Omega-3 fatty acids (OMGs) are essential for the maintenance of brain function and prevention of cognition dysfunctions. However, the possible effect of OMG on memory impairment induced by PTSD has not been studied. In here, such an effect was explored using a rat model of PTSD. The PTSD-like behavior was induced in animals using a single-prolonged stress (SPS) rat model of PTSD (2 h restraint, 20 min forced swimming, 15 min rest, 1–2 min diethyl ether exposure). The OMG was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/100 g body weight/day. Spatial learning and memory were assessed using the radial arm water maze (RAWM) method. Changes in oxidative stress biomarkers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and brain derived neuroptrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus following treatments were measured. The results revealed that SPS impaired both short- and long-term memory (p < 0.05). Use of OMG prevented memory impairment induced by SPS. Furthermore, OMG normalized SPS induced changes in the hippocampus that reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratios, the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and TBARSs levels. In conclusion, the SPS model of PTSD-like behavior generated memory impairment, whereas OMG prevented this impairment, possibly through normalizing antioxidant mechanisms in the hippocampus.

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Possible deleterious effects of adjunctive omega-3 fatty acids in post-traumatic stress disorder patients

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment ◽

10.2147/nedt.1.2.187.61053 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 187-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Kaplan Zeev ◽

Matar Michael ◽

Kamin Ram ◽

Cohen Hagit

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic

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L-Carnitine prevents memory impairment induced by post-traumatic stress disorder

Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience ◽

10.3233/rnn-211191 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Karem H. Alzoubi ◽

Arwa M. Al-Dekah ◽

Saied Jaradat ◽

Nasr Alrabadi

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Rat Model ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Memory Impairment ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Post Traumatic

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a genuine obstructing mental disorder. As indicated by the name, it is related to the patients’ stress augmented by life-threatening conditions or accidents. The PTSD has linked to oxidative stress that can result in neurodegeneration. L-carnitine (L-CAR) is known for its antioxidant properties, which can protect against neuronal damage. Objective: In the current study, we investigated the beneficial effects of L-CAR on the memory impairment induced by PTSD using a rat model. Methods: A model of single-prolonged stress (a cycle of restraining, forced swimming, rest, and finally diethyl ether exposure for 2 h, 20 min, 15 min, and 1–2 min, respectively) was used to induce PTSD-like behavior. Intraperitoneal L-CAR treatment (300 mg/kg/day) was introduced for four weeks. Both memory and special learning were evaluated utilizing the radial arm water maze (RAWM). Moreover, the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reduced (GSH), and glutathione oxidized (GSSG) were assessed as biomarkers oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Results: The results demonstrated that both the short and long-term memories were impaired by PTSD/SPS model (P < 0.05), while L-CAR treatment prevented this memory impairment in PTSD rats. Besides, L-CAR prevented the reduction in GPx activity and increase in GSSG, which were altered in the hippocampus of the PTSD/SPS rats (P < 0.05). Levels of GSH were not changed in PTSD and/or L-CAR rats. Conclusions: L-CAR administration prevented short- and long-term memories’ impairments induced in the PTSD/SPS rat model. This is probably related to its antioxidant effects in the hippocampus.

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