Abstract
Epidemiological studies have reported that nutritional deficit of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is closely related to depression and cognitive impairment in middle and later life. This study investigated the preventive effects of n-3 PUFA-rich oils on the behavioural impairment of unchallenged aged prediabetic rats by using a Morris water maze (MWM) test and forced swimming test (FST). Twenty 102-wk-old male SD male rats received a 35% sucrose solution and were fed with fish oil or flaxseed oil diets for 8k. Both treatments reduced the production of IL-6 and non-esterified fatty acids significantly. Both treatments demonstrated significantly quicker MWM acquisition, shorter FST immobility time and higher levels of nerve growth factor than did the control group. Thus, n-3 PUFA-rich oil might produce protective effects by improving fasting blood sugar levels and reducing proinflammatory cytokine levels, thus preventing cognitive age-related impairments and depression-like behaviour in aged prediabetic rats.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1300 |
Pages (from-to) | 522-536 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Journal of Functional Foods |
Volume | 19 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2015 |
Keywords
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Fatty acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Science
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Nutrition and Dietetics