n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses stress-induced modifications on brain monoamine levels in mice

Abstract

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. Stressinduced 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 stressinduced 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.-Vancassel, S., S. Leman, L. Hanonick, S. Denis, J. Roger, M. Nollet, S. Bodard, I. Kousignian, C. Belzung, and S. Chalon. n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses stress-induced modifications on brain monoamine levels in mice. J. Lipid Res. 2008. 49: 340-348.

Antidepressant and Neuroprotective Effect of the Chinese Herb Kaixinsan against Lentiviral shRNA Knockdown Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Induced Injury in vitro and in vivo

“…The effects of stress on body weight are still controversial. Although various studies indicated a decrease in body weight [31,32], some recent studies showed no change [33,34]. In our model, KXS could reverse the LV-shBDNF-induced weight loss, which is similar to our previous study in the CMS model [12,29].…”

New Approaches for the Therapy of Treatment Refractory Depression

“…This is confirmed by the fact that NOS inhibition modulates central serotonin release (Kiss, 2000;Smith&Whitton, 2000;Wegener et al, 2000). In rats exposed to chronic mild stress, 5-HT and 5-HIAA (5-hydroxy indol acetic acid) levels decreased significantly in many brain regions, compared to nonstressed animals (Li et al, 2003;Vancassel et al, 2008). Therefore, it can be the fact that effects of TRIM might be explained by its ability to reverse the UCMS-induced alteration of 5-HT. )…”

Effects of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesion of the dorsal raphe nucleus on the antidepressant-like action of tramadol in the unpredictable chronic mild stress in mice

“…Indeed, many studies have reported abnormalities of biogenic amines and of their metabolites in blood, urine, and CSF in depressed patients (Mann et al 1992;Ruhe et al 2007) and in rodents (Torres et al 2002;Elhwugei 2004). Recently, Vancassel et al 2008 also showed that the UCMS regimen induced modifications on brain monoamine level in mice. The previous study and our results showing the changes in monoamines levels induced by UCMS regimen reinforce the construct validity of this model.…”