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

A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids (u3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided u3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ u3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary sup...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Longarzo, María L., Vázquez, Romina F., Bellini, María J., Zamora, Ricardo A., Redondo-Morata, Lorena, Giannotti, Marina Inés, Oliveira Jr, Osvaldo N., Fanani, María L., Maté, Sabina M.
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/221118
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/221118
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Àcids grassos omega-3
Membranes lipídiques
Omega-3 fatty acids
Lipid membranes
Description
Summary:A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids (u3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided u3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ u3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary supplementation on the physicochemical properties of the brain-cell membranes. Significant increases in u3 levels in the cerebral cortex of SHR+ u3 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 u3 lipids, showing its consequences on the hydration levels of the monolayers and the organization of the membrane domains. These findings suggest that dietary u3 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.