Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acids as Neuroprotective Nutrients throughout the Life Cycle

Nutrients

Rodrigo Valenzuela¹  Verónica Sambra¹  Francisca Echeverria¹  Raphaël Chouinard-Watkins²  Alfonso Valenzuela³ 

[1] Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile;Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada;Faculty of Medicine, School of Nutrition, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago 8380000, Chile;

关键词: docosahexaenoic acid;    arachidonic acid;    neuroprotection;    neurodegeneration;    Alzheimer’s disease;    Parkinson’s disease;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu13030986

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in neurogenesis and brain development throughout the life cycle is fundamental. DHA and AA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) vital for many human physiological processes, such as signaling pathways, gene expression, structure and function of membranes, among others. DHA and AA are deposited into the lipids of cell membranes that form the gray matter representing approximately 25% of the total content of brain fatty acids. Both fatty acids have effects on neuronal growth and differentiation through the modulation of the physical properties of neuronal membranes, signal transduction associated with G proteins, and gene expression. DHA and AA have a relevant role in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with characteristic pathological expressions as mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. The present review analyzes the neuroprotective role of DHA and AA in the extreme stages of life, emphasizing the importance of these LCPUFA during the first year of life and in the developing/prevention of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.

【 授权许可】

Unknown