Potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects provided by omega-3 (DHA) against Zika virus infection in human SH-SY5Y cells

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) has a strong tropism for the nervous system and has been related to post-infection neurological syndromes. Once neuronal cells are infected, the virus is capable of modulating cell metabolism, leading to neurotoxicity and cellular death. The negative effect of ZIKV in neuron cells has been characterized. However, the description of molecules capable of reversing these cytotoxic effects is still under investigation. In this context, it has been largely demonstrated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is highly neuroprotective. Here, we hypothesized that DHA's neuroprotective proprieties could have an influence on ZIKV-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Our data showed that pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with DHA increased the cell viability and proliferation in ZIKV-infected cells. Moreover, DHA triggered an anti-inflammatory response in those infected cells. Besides, DHA was capable of restoring mitochondria function and number in ZIKVinfected SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, cells pre-treated with DHA prior to ZIKV infection presented a lower viral load at different times of infection. Taking together, these results demonstrated that DHA has a potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect against ZIKV infection in these neuron-like cells and could be a useful tool in the treatment against this virus.

RETRACTED: Mammalian STE20-Like Kinase 2 Promotes Lipopolysaccharides-Mediated Cardiomyocyte Inflammation and Apoptosis by Enhancing Mitochondrial Fission

“… Pirrozzi et al (2020) reported that hepatic inflammation causes aberrant fatty acid metabolism in the mitochondria. The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 (DHA) in the neurodegenerative diseases are mediated by changes in mitochondrial functions ( Braz-De-Melo et al, 2019 ). SIRT3 overexpression promotes mitochondrial function and attenuates vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular hypertrophy, and angiosteosis.…”

Potential benefits and risks of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation to patients with COVID-19

“…The results showed that 17-HDHA was able to increase the levels of antibodies, which resulted in greater resistance to infection by the H1N1 (A/Brisbane/59/2007 or A/ California/04/2009) virus [97]. More recently, it has been shown that pretreatment with DHA increases human SH-SY5Y cell viability and proliferation, restores mitochondrial function, reduces viral load and triggers an anti-inflammatory response in cells infected with Zika (KX197192) virus [98].…”

Can N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids be considered a potential adjuvant therapy for COVID-19-associated cardiovascular complications?

“…The results showed 17-HDHA was able to enhance the humoral immunity against viruses by increasing the number of antibody-secreting cells and the levels of H1N1 antibodies, which resulted in greater protection against live H1N1 influenza infection in mice ( Ramon et al, 2014 ). More recently, Braz-De-Melo highlighted the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs against viral infections by showing that DHA pre-treatment to neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells infected with Zika virus increased their viability and proliferation, restored mitochondrial function, reduced viral load and triggered an anti-inflammatory response identifying n-3 PUFAs as useful therapeutic tools in combating viruses ( Braz-De-Melo et al, 2019 ). Additionally, Yan et al has shown that EPA and DHA can inhibit the replication of both enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus A16 the most common causes of hand, foot, and mouth disease ( Yan et al, 2019 ).…”