Abstract
Scope:
Malnutrition in early life affects the growth and development of fetus and children, which has a long-term impact on adult health. Previous studies revealed a relationship between dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) content, brain development, and the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders and inflammation. However, it is unclear about the effect of n-3 PUFA-deficiency in early life on the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in old age, as well as the neuroprotective effect of DHA- and EPA-enriched phospholipids (DHA/EPA-PLs) supplemented in old age in long-term n-3 PUFA-deficient mice.
Methods and results:
The PD mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in n-3 PUFA-adequate (N) and -deficient (DEF) group were supplemented with a DHA/EPA-PLs diet for 2 weeks (N+DPL, DEF+DPL). DHA/EPA-PLs supplementation significantly protected against MPTP-induced impairments. The DEF+DPL group showed poorer motor performance, the loss of dopaminergic neurons, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodevelopment delay than the N+DPL group, and still didn't recover to the Control level.
Conclusions:
Dietary n-3 PUFA-deficiency in early life exhibits more aggravated MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in old age, then DHA/EPA-PLs supplementation recovers brain DHA levels and exerts neuroprotective effects in old age in long-term n-3 PUFA-deficient mice, which might provide a potential dietary guidance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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