Low Phytanic Acid-Concentrated DHA Prevents Cognitive Deficit and Regulates Alzheimer Disease Mediators in an ApoE<sup>−/−</sup> Mice Experimental Model

oleh: María Belén Ruiz-Roso, Víctor Echeverry-Alzate, Baltasar Ruiz-Roso, José Carlos Quintela, Sandra Ballesteros, Vicente Lahera, Natalia de las Heras, José Antonio López-Moreno, Beatriz Martín-Fernández

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2018-12-01

Deskripsi

Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia and cognitive impairment. It has been associated with a significant diminution of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in the brain. Clinical trials with DHA as a treatment in neurological diseases have shown inconsistent results. Previously, we reported that the presence of phytanic acid (PhA) in standard DHA compositions could be blunting DHA&#8217;s beneficial effects. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effects of a low PhA-concentrated DHA and a standard PhA-concentrated DHA in Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE<sup>&#8722;/&#8722;</sup>) mice. Behavioral tests and protein expression of pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, antioxidant factors, and AD-related mediators were evaluated. Low PhA-concentrated DHA decreased A&#946;, &#223;-amyloid precursor protein (APP), p-tau, Ca<sup>2+</sup>/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII), caspase 3, and catalase, and increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) when compared to standard PhA-concentrated DHA. Low PhA-concentrated DHA decreased interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&#945;) protein expression in ApoE<sup>&#8722;/&#8722;</sup> mice when compared to standard PhA-concentrated DHA. No significant differences were found in p22phox, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), and tau protein expression. The positive actions of a low PhA-concentrated DHA were functionally reflected by improving the cognitive deficit in the AD experimental model. Therefore, reduction of PhA content in DHA compositions could highlight a novel pathway for the neurodegeneration processes related to AD.