Eicosapentaenoic Acid supports brain developmentAnti-apoptotic role of omega-3-fatty acids in developing brain: perinatal hypothyroid rat cerebellum as apoptotic model.
We investigated the role of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, in the context of hypothyroidism and its effects on brain development. Our study used a rat model where hypothyroidism was induced, allowing us to examine how EPA influences neuronal health during this critical phase of development.
Through our research, we found that supplementing EPA, along with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), significantly reduced signs of neuronal apoptosis, which is a controlled process of cell death that can be detrimental when excessive. Specifically, we observed decreases in DNA fragmentation and activation of an important mediator of cell death—caspase-3—in the cerebella of hypothyroid pups.
One of the key findings highlighted that EPA helped counteract increases in a pro-apoptotic protein called Bax. At the same time, levels of protective proteins, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L), were restored, which are crucial in promoting cell survival. Additionally, EPA supplementation normalized several important signaling pathways affected by thyroid hormone deficiency, which play vital roles in neuronal health.
Overall, our findings contribute valuable insight into how eicosapentaenoic acid can offer protective benefits for brain development during periods of stress caused by hypothyroidism, illuminating potential therapeutic pathways for ongoing investigations.