Understanding the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the physical properties of brain lipid membranes

Article

Authorship

Longarzo, Mria Lucrecia ; VAZQUEZ, ROMINA FLORENCIA ; BELLINI, MARIA JOSE ; Zamora, Ricardo A. ; Redondo Morata, Lorena ; Giannotti, Marina I. ; Oliveira, Osvaldo N. ; FANANI, MARIA LAURA ; MATE, SABINA MARIA

Date

2024

Publishing House and Editing Place

Elsevier Inc.

Magazine

iScience, vol. 27 (pp. 1-16) - ISSN 2589-0042
Elsevier Inc.

ISSN

2589-0042

Summary Information provided by the agent in SIGEVA

A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids (?3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided ?3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ ?3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary supplementation on the physicochemical properties of the brain-cell membranes. Significant increases in ?3 levels in the cerebral cortex of SHR+ ?3 were observed, leading to alterations in brain lipid m... A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids (?3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided ?3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ ?3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary supplementation on the physicochemical properties of the brain-cell membranes. Significant increases in ?3 levels in the cerebral cortex of SHR+ ?3 were observed, leading to alterations in brain lipid membranes molecular packing, elasticity, and lipid miscibility, resulting in an augmented phase disparity. Results from synthetic lipid mixtures confirmed the disordering effect introduced by ?3 lipids, showing its consequences on the hydration levels of the monolayers and the organization of the membrane domains. These findings suggest that dietary ?3 FAs influence the organization of brain membranes, providing insight into a potential mechanism for the broad effects of dietary fat on brain health and disease.