Changes in behavior and fatty acid composition induced by long-term reduction in murine Δ6-desaturation activity

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2020Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty AcidsAuthor(s): Akiko Harauma, Toshiaki Sueyasu, Hisanori Tokuda, Hidemi Yasuda, Yukino Hoshi, Yoshihisa Kaneda, Tomohiro Rogi, Hiroshi Shibata, Manabu T. Nakamura, Toru MoriguchiAbstractPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play an important role in biological regulation. In our previous study using mice deficient in Δ6 desaturase (D6D), we reported that ARA is required for body growth, while DHA is necessary for functional development. In mammals, ARA and DHA are supplied directly or by synthesis from linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA). However, as desaturase enzyme activity is immature or low in newborns, and humans with minor alleles of the gene encoding desaturase, respectively, they require dietary supplementation with ARA and DHA. To investigate how the body reacts to a long-term reduction in fatty acid synthesis, we measured behavioral changes and fatty acid composition in mice heterozygous for the D6D null mutation with reduced D6D activity fed a diet containing only LA and ALA as PUFAs. During the growth-maturity period, heterozygous mice showed a slightly change in interest and curiosity compared with the wild-type group. ARA levels were decreased in the brain and liver in the heterozygous group, especially during the growth-maturity period, whereas DHA...
Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) - Category: Lipidology Source Type: research