Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) reduces brain damage induced by reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice.

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent disability in adults worldwide. The only FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke is the intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) within 3 hours of onset Among the mechanisms involved in stroke is the activation of phospholinases with subsequent release of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) Arachidonic acid (AA) yields eicosanoids implicated in the induction and maintenance of the acute inflammatory responses while docosahexanoic acid (DHA) is substrate for the biosynthesis of resolvins and protectins that have anti inflammatory activity. The effect of delayed administration of IV DHA (30 mg/kg) was investigated against brain damage induced by reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. DHA demonstrated a neuroprotective effect against brain damage induced by reversible MCAO as evidenced by the reduction in the infarct area, neurological dysfunction and NF-kB activity. These results suggest the possible use of DHA against brain damage following stroke as late as 5 hours of onset