DHA diet reduces AD pathology in young APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice: Possible gender effects

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Epidemiological and clinical trial findings suggest that consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lowers the risk of Alzhemier's disease (AD). We examined the effects of short-term (3 months) DHA enriched diet on plaque deposition and synaptic deficts in forebrain of young APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic (tg) and non-transgenic (ntg) mice. Gas chromatography revealed a significant increase in DHA concomitant with a decrease of arachidonic acid in both brain and liver in mice fed with DHA. Female tg mice consumed relatively more food daily than ntg female mice, independent of diet. Plaque load was significantly reduced in the cortex, ventral hippocampus and striatum of female APPswe/PS1ΔE9 tg mice on DHA diet compared to female tg mice on control diet. Immunoblot quantitation of the APOE receptor, LR11, which is involved in APP trafficking and Aβ production, were unchanged in mice on DHA or control diets. Moreover drebrin levels were significantly increased in the hippocampus of tg mice on the DHA diet. Finally, in vitro DHA treatment prevented amyloid toxicity in cell cultures. Our findings support the concept that increased DHA consumption may play and important role in reducing brain insults in female AD patients. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, Amyloid, Drebrin, n-3 fatty acids, Transgenics

Publication Date

4-1-2010

Publication Title

Journal of Neuroscience Research

ISSN

03604012

E-ISSN

10974547

Volume

88

Issue

5

First Page

1026

Last Page

1040

PubMed ID

19859965

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/jnr.22266

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS