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

Abstract

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.

Swimming exercise improves short‐ and long‐term memories: Time‐course changes

“…Inside the vessel, six‐V‐shaped stainless steel sheets forming a central area connected to six arms for swimming, one of which is designated as the goal arm. A platform is hidden at 2 cm underwater at the far end of the goal arm (Alquraan et al, 2019).…”

Neurogenesis in the rat neonate's hippocampus with maternal short‐term REM sleep deprivation restores by royal jelly treatment

“…Many studies have examined the impact of specific protective agents on the impact of REM-SD. Alquraan et al (2019) studied the effect of omega-3 on memory deficits following chronic REM-SD and found that omega-3 could improve memory deficit in animals with REM-SD. Omega-3 administration also inhibited the reduction of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and GSH/GSSG ratio in the hippocampus (Alquraan et al, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, the role of sleep in maintaining synaptic plasticity may be related to the hippocampus, an important area for synaptic learning and neuroplasticity (Spano et al, 2019). Alquraan et al (2019) studied the effect of omega-3 on memory impairment induced by long-term SD and found that the mice with SD showed significant errors in short-and long-term memory tests compared to controls. Royal jelly (Rashidy-Pour, 2019), a secretion of honeybee hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands, is a nutrient consisting of water, various protein, monosaccharide, fatty acid, and hydroxy-2-decanoic acid.…”

Myricetin Inhibited Fear and Anxiety-Like Behaviors by HPA Axis Regulation and Activation of the BDNF-ERK Signaling Pathway in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rats

“…In this study, SPS exposure led to a decrease in the body weight and sucrose intake of rats compared to the controls. Increased anhedonia after SPS exposure in rats suggests that traumatic stress can induce depression [ 37 ]. Although body weight loss is not a direct indicator of fear, depression, or anxiety, various physiological changes are associated with SPS exposure [ 37 ].…”