Administration of omega-3 on the neuroprotection of hippocampal neurogenesis in rats exposed to the chronic ethanol consumption

Abstract

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids that must be obtained through diet, such as fish and seeds. The maintenance of their levels is fundamental for the correct functioning of the CNS. Its administration stimulated neurogenesis in the hippocampus of adult and elderly rats. Omega-3 deficiency may be associated with memory deficits and reduced hippocampal neuroplasticity. Studies have shown interesting interactions between omega-3, ethanol consumption and hippocampal neurogenesis. Omega-3 supplementation reversed deficits in hippocampal plasticity in adult rats submitted to prenatal exposure to ethanol, preventing apoptosis and neurodegeneration. According to the data presented, the hypothesis of the present work is that the administration of omega-3 may have a neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative effects and ethanol-induced inhibition of neurogenesis. Thirty-two male Wistar rats will be used, kept under controlled conditions and submitted to the protocol of ethanol consumption. Concomitantly, animals will receive daily, via gavage, Omega-3 (300mg / kg, Omega-3 EPA 1000 mg, FDC - Fedco, SP, Brazil). Control group will receive, in the same proportion, only the vehicle (mineral oil for human oral use, Nujol). During this period, the weight of the animals and the amount of ethanol and water consumed will be monitored weekly. At the end of the experimental period the animals will be submitted to the object omission test for memory analysis and exploratory behavior. The animals will be perfused, the brain removed and processed with immunohistochemical techniques against Ki-67 (cell proliferation analysis) and DCX (neurogenesis analysis). A series of sections will be stained with cresyl violet, Nssil technique, for hippocampal volume, cell density and number of picnotic cells (apoptosis). The present work may have important clinical correlations and suggest new ways of treating and preventing the effects of ethanol in the CNS. (AU)