Modification of dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of rats deficient in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

• Published in: Journal of lipid research 2000-01, Vol.41 (1), p.32-40
• Main Authors: Zimmer, L, Delion-Vancassel, S, Durand, G, Guilloteau, D, Bodard, S, Besnard, J C, Chalon, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid - metabolism; Animals; autoradiography; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Dopamine - metabolism; dopamine D2; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; Female; Homovanillic Acid - metabolism; Life Sciences; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Membrane Transport Proteins; microdialysis; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuropeptides; Nucleus Accumbens - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Wistar; receptors; Synaptic Transmission; tyramine; Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins; vesicular monoamine transporter
• ISSN: 0022-2275
• DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2275(20)32071-x

We studied the effects of a diet chronically deficient in alpha-linolenic acid, the precursor of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens of rats. In vivo microdialysis experiments showed increased basal levels of dopamine and decreased basal levels of metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in awake rats from the deficient group compared to controls. The release of dopamine under KCl stimulation was similar in both dietary groups. By contrast, the release of dopamine from the vesicular storage pool under tyramine stimulation was 90% lower in the deficient than in the control rats. Autoradiographic studies in the same cerebral region revealed a 60% reduction in the vesicular monoamine transporter sites in the deficient group. Dopamine D(2) receptors were 35% increased in these rats compared to controls, whereas no change occurred for D(1) receptors and membrane dopamine transporters. These results demonstrated that chronic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency modifies several factors of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. These findings are in agreement with the changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission already observed in the frontal cortex, and with the behavioral disturbances described in these deficient rats.