Abstract
Purpose: To examine the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra, intracerebral inflammatory response and ethology in mice with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
 Methods: Four groups of male C57BL/6 mice (n = 48) were used: normal control, negative control, n3PUFA, and Madopa groups. Except for normal control group, all groups were given 6- hydroxydopamine hydrochloride (6-OHDA) to establish Parkinson’s mice model. The expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and calcium-binding protein (CB) in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons were determined with immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The contents of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) (indices of intracerebral inflammatory response) were measured. Tremor paralysis, moving grid number, standing times, swimming ability, and the number of rollers in each group were observed as indices of ethology.
 Results: The number of TH and CB-positive neurons in the substantia nigra of n-3PUFA-treated mice was significantly increased, relative to those in Madopa-treated mice (p < 0.05). The expressions of TH and CB proteins in substantia nigra in n-3PUFA group were markedly higher than the corresponding expressions in Madopa-treated mice (p < 0.05). Decreased levels of NO, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were seen in 3PUFA group, when compared to mice in Madopa group, but higher behavioral scores were obtained in n-3PUFA-treated mice, relative to Madopa-treated mice (p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: The n-3PUFAs protect substantia nigra compact dopaminergic neurons against Parkinson’s disease, alleviate immune inflammation, and improve the coordination of limb movement. Thus, n-3PUFAs have potential therapeutic application in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in the brain tissue outside the vertebral body
The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of n-3PUFAs against substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, intracerebral inflammatory response and behavioral characteristics in mice
There were no marked differences in these parameters between n-3PUFAs group and normal control group (p > 0.05)
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in the brain tissue outside the vertebral body. It is mainly due to necrosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and apoptosis, leading to the imbalance in dopamine-acetylcholine, which is. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) play important roles in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases associated with middle and old age. They comprise mainly of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The latter accounts for 40 % of the unsaturated fatty acids in the brain, and 50 % of the plasma membrane of brain neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of n-3PUFAs against substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, intracerebral inflammatory response and behavioral characteristics in mice
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