Dopaminergic cell populations of the rat substantia nigra are differentially affected by essential fatty acid dietary restriction over two generations

► Differential effects on dopaminergic cell subsets by essential fatty acid restriction. ► Omega 3 dietary restriction reduces soma size of substantia nigra dopaminergic cells. ► Omega-3 dietary restriction for two generations reduces TH levels in the midbrain. Essential fatty acids play a crucial r...

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Published in:Journal of chemical neuroanatomy 2012-07, Vol.44 (2), p.66-75
Main Authors: Passos, Priscila Pereira, Borba, Juliana Maria Carrazone, Rocha-de-Melo, Ana Paula, Guedes, Rubem Carlos Araujo, da Silva, Reginaldo Pereira, Filho, Waldenício Teixeira Melo, Gouveia, Kátia Maria Marques, Navarro, Daniela Maria do Amaral Ferraz, Santos, Geanne Karla Novais, Borner, Roseane, Picanço-Diniz, Cristovam Wanderley, Pereira, Antonio, de Oliveira Costa, Miriam Stela Maris, Rodrigues, Marcelo Cairrão Araújo, Andrade-da-Costa, Belmira Lara da Silveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha-Linolenic Acid - administration & dosage
alpha-Linolenic Acid - metabolism
Animals
Blotting, Western
Brain - growth & development
Brain - metabolism
Brain development
Cell Count - methods
Cell Size
DHA
Diet, Fat-Restricted
Docosahexaenoic Acids - metabolism
Dopaminergic Neurons - immunology
Dopaminergic Neurons - metabolism
Dopaminergic system
Fatty Acids, Essential - administration & dosage
Fatty Acids, Essential - metabolism
Female
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Immunohistochemistry
LC-PUFA
Linoleic Acid - administration & dosage
Linoleic Acid - metabolism
Male
Maternal malnutrition
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Stereology
Stereotaxic Techniques
Substantia Nigra - cytology
Substantia Nigra - immunology
Substantia Nigra - metabolism
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - immunology
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - metabolism
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Summary:► Differential effects on dopaminergic cell subsets by essential fatty acid restriction. ► Omega 3 dietary restriction reduces soma size of substantia nigra dopaminergic cells. ► Omega-3 dietary restriction for two generations reduces TH levels in the midbrain. Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in the activity of several neurotransmission systems, especially in the monoaminergic systems involved in cognitive and motor aspects of behavior. The present study investigated whether essential fatty acid dietary restriction over two generations could differentially affect dopaminergic cell populations located in the substantia nigra rostro-dorso-medial (SNrm) or caudo-ventro-lateral (SNcv) regions which display distinct neurochemical profile and vulnerability to lesions under selected pathological conditions. Wistar rats were raised from conception on control or experimental diets containing adequate or reduced levels of linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids, respectively. Stereological methods were used to estimate both the number and soma size of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the SNrm and SNcv. TH protein levels were assessed with Western blots. Long-term treatment with the experimental diet modified the fatty acid profile of midbrain phospholipids and significantly decreased TH protein levels in the ventral midbrain (3 fold), the number of TH-positive cells in the SNrm (∼20%) and the soma size of these neurons in both SNrm (∼20%) and SNcv (∼10%). The results demonstrate for the first time a differential sensitivity of two substantia nigra dopaminergic cell populations to unbalanced levels of essential fatty acids, indicating a higher vulnerability of SNrm to the harmful effects induced by docosahexaenoic acid brain deficiency.
ISSN:0891-0618
1873-6300
DOI:10.1016/j.jchemneu.2012.05.003