Effect of Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion on the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB in the neonatal rats hippocampus after hypoxic-ischemic

Abstract

Objective To discuss whether Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion has the potential protective mechanism for 7-day-old rats with hypoxic - ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Methods One hundred and sixty-eight 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A(sham group), group B(Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion group), group C(normal fat emulsion group), group D(model group), and there were 42 cases in each group.Neonatal HIBD was induced by the method of Rice.Rats were sacrificed at 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after the surgery.Hippocampus was removed for Real-time PCR and Western blot test to detect Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 )and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB )mRNA and protein expression.TUNEL staining comparison was done among different groups to observe the number of cellular apoptosis. Results HE staining of hippocampus CA1 area in 3 d showed that brain tissues in group A maintained normal structures; those in group D had much more brain cells with severe edema than other groups; TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression levels in group D were higher than those in group A in 1 d (all P 0.05); TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression levels in group B were lower than those in group C and group D in 7 d(all P 0.05). The apoptotic cell number of brain tissues in 3 d: group B (13.67±2.52) were lower than those in group C (27.67±2.52) and group D (41.00±3.61) (all P 0.05). Conclusions Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion plays an important role in protecting neonatal rats with HIBD.The mechanisms were likely to reduce TLR4, NF-κB and cell apoptosis levels. Key words: Rat, newborn; Omega - 3 fish oil emulsion; Hypoxic-ischemia brain damage; Toll-like receptor 4; Nuclear factor-κB