SEROTONIN IN THE MEDIATION OF BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF OMEGA-3 FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS: A STUDY IN RATS

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omg-3 PUFAs) are widely prescribed for improving therapeutic strategies in many diseases. There are reports that the use of these supplements can reduce disease-related depression and anxiety in patients taking these supplements. However, pre-clinical research sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pakistan journal of science 2023-06, Vol.75 (2), p.190-198
Main Authors: Khan, F, Jalal, K, Gohar, A, Afroz, R, Nawaz, S, Salman, T, Khan, I A, Haleem, D J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Anxiety
Body weight
Brain research
Depression, Mental
Drinking water
Drug dosages
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Fatty acids
Fish oils
Food
Food intake
Laboratory animals
Locomotor activity
Mediation
Mental depression
Mesencephalon
Neurotransmission
Phenols
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Prefrontal cortex
Serotonin
Supplements
Tryptophan
Weight reduction
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Summary:Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omg-3 PUFAs) are widely prescribed for improving therapeutic strategies in many diseases. There are reports that the use of these supplements can reduce disease-related depression and anxiety in patients taking these supplements. However, pre-clinical research shows mixed results. In view of the role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in anxiety and depression, the present study concern effects of omg-3 on anxiety-like behavior and on serotonin metabolism in brain regions known to have a role in anxiety. It was found that administration of omg-3 for 20 days did not alter food intake and body weight. The treatment reduced locomotor activity in an open field arena and enhanced anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus-maze test. 5-HT concentration increased in the hippocampus (HPC) and midbrain (MB) but decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were decreased in these regions. The tryptophan levels were not affected in the PFC but increased in the HPC and MB at a low dose; suggesting that decreases of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were not due to a decrease in the availability of tryptophan. The present study implied that unnecessary use of omg-3 supplements can reduce serotonin neurotransmission via the PFC to predispose to anxiety.
ISSN:0030-9877
2411-0930
DOI:10.57041/pjs.v75i02.866