Does consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids influence on neurorehabilitation in traumatic spinal cord-injured individuals? a double-blinded clinical trial

Abstract

Study design: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Objectives: The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown so far, but still its influence on clinical measures in spinal cord-injured human models were not known. We tried to investigate changes in disability and dependency scores in chronic traumatic spinal cord-injured patients after 14 months of o-3 fatty-acid consumption. Methods: Main inclusion criteria were: traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and post injury duration longer than 1 year. Disability and dependency was assessed using UK Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure (FIM þ FAM) scale. MorDHA capsules (435 mg of docosahexaenoic acid and 65 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid) were administered in treatment group, whereas control group received placebo capsules for 14 months. UK FIM þ FAM scale were estimated before intervention and at the end of the trial. Results: Fifty-four patients in treatment group and 50 patients in placebo group completed the trial. Highest scores were detected in cognitive domain in both groups before and after intervention. Most dependency was observed in locomotion subscale and secondly in sphincter control. Scores of none of these components were changed by o-3 fatty-acid consumption. Conclusion: Although omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have neuroprotective effect in acute phase of SCI, it seems that they have no significant influence in chronic inflammatory state of SCI. The positive effect of o-3 fatty acid in chronic neurorecovery process, if exists, is weaker to exert any significant improvement in UK FIM þ FAM scores in spinal cord-injured individuals.

Alleviating Severe Cytoskeletal Destruction of Spinal Motor Neurons: Another Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Spinal Cord Injury

“…46 Here, we found that the cytoskeleton of spinal MNs in mice was significantly damaged after SCI, and further analysis revealed that the cytoskeletal protein expression was These results suggested the significance of DHA in the survival of posterior spinal MNs after SCI, which was consistent with previous findings. 25,26 Furthermore, our results showed that DHA has a positive effect on the cytoskeleton of spinal MNs after SCI. Studies have shown that the signaling pathway of axon regeneration after injury is focused on the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics.…”

“…In recent years, research on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and its significance to bodily health and disease risk have been increasingly in-depth, − and its role in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases has also received extensive attention. , Some studies demonstrated that DHA has beneficial effects on SCI, , including inhibiting − inflammation, , protecting nerve cells and activating their regenerative process, − promoting the expression of neuroprotective genes and antiapoptosis, and alleviating neuropathic pain. − …”

“…15−19 In recent years, research on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and its significance to bodily health and disease risk have been increasingly in-depth, 20−22 and its role in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases has also received extensive attention. 23,24 Some studies demonstrated that DHA has beneficial effects on SCI, 25,26 including inhibiting 27−36 inflammation, 37,39 protecting nerve cells and activating their regenerative process, 40−42 promoting the expression of neuroprotective genes and antiapoptosis, 43 and alleviating neuropathic pain. 44−46 In summary, there are four key points: first, the morphological changes of MNs after SCI are of great significance to the recovery of motor function, but they have received little attention; second, oxidative stress plays a very important role in the pathologic mechanism of SCI and, notably, our studies recently demonstrated that oxidative stress can cause severe damage to the cytoskeleton of spinal MNs; 37 third, DHA has a beneficial effect on SCI, but the mechanisms are not completely clear; fourth, at present, there is no report on the effect of DHA on the morphological changes of spinal MNs after SCI.…”

Quietness Circ 0000962 promoted nerve cell inflammation through PIK3CA/Akt/NF-κB signaling by miR-302b-3p in spinal cord injury

“…The growth cone is the end of the neuronal axon, which plays an important role in the growth of nerve cells (5). Therefore, the study of the growth cone can provide good observation of the effects of some external stimuli or external substances on the development of nerve tissue (7).…”

Clinical use of omega-3 fatty acids in migraine

“…In recent years, PUFAs were recommended to treat systemic pathological conditions, [ 18 ] and administration of omega-3 PUFAs has been proposed for the treatment neurological diseases such as hyperactive disorder, attention deficit, [ 19 ] Alzheimer, [ 20 ] depression, [ 21 ] neurodegenerative diseases, [ 22 ] and spinal cord injury. [ 23 ] These FAs mediate numerous physiological functions and have therapeutic potential for neuro-traumatic conditions [ 24 ] and omega-3 FAs intake provide relief from neuropathic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. [ 25 ] In addition, patients affected by cervical radiculopathy and thoracic outlet syndrome reported long term significant pain attenuation with high oral doses of omega-3 FAs.…”