Original Article

Modification of dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of rats deficient in n;–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Correspondence to: Sylvie Chalon

We studied the effects of a diet chronically deficient in -linolenic acid, the precursor of long-chain n;–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens of rats. In vivo microdialysis experiments showed increased basal levels of dopamine and decreased basal levels of metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in awake rats from the deficient group compared to controls. The release of dopamine under KCl stimulation was similar in both dietary groups. By contrast, the release of dopamine from the vesicular storage pool under tyramine stimulation was 90% lower in the deficient than in the control rats. Autoradiographic studies in the same cerebral region revealed a 60% reduction in the vesicular monoamine transporter sites in the deficient group. Dopamine D₂ receptors were 35% increased in these rats compared to controls, whereas no change occurred for D₁ receptors and membrane dopamine transporters.

These results demonstrated that chronic n;–3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency modifies several factors of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. These findings are in agreement with the changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission already observed in the frontal cortex, and with the behavioral disturbances described in these deficient rats.—Zimmer, L., S. Delion-Vancassel, G. Durand, D. Guilloteau, S. Bodard, J-C. Besnard, and S. Chalon. Modification of dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens of rats deficient in n;–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 32;–40.

Supplementary key words: autoradiography, dopamine D₂, receptors, microdialysis, tyramine, vesicular monoamine transporter

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Vancassel, S. Leman, L. Hanonick, S. Denis, J. Roger, M. Nollet, S. Bodard, I. Kousignian, C. Belzung, and S. Chalon n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses stress-induced modifications on brain monoamine levels in mice J. Lipid Res., February 1, 2008; 49(2): 340 - 348. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Zhang, B. Oguzhan, K. Louchami, J.-M. Chardigny, L. Portois, Y. A. Carpentier, W. J. Malaisse, A. Herchuelz, and A. Sener Pancreatic islet function in {omega}-3 fatty acid-depleted rats: alteration of calcium fluxes and calcium-dependent insulin release. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, September 1, 2006; 291(3): E441 - E448. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C McCann and B. N Ames Is docosahexaenoic acid, an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for development of normal brain function? An overview of evidence from cognitive and behavioral tests in humans and animals Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2005; 82(2): 281 - 295. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Jacob, A. Gamboa, A. Diedrich, C. Shibao, D. Robertson, and I. Biaggioni Tyramine-Induced Vasodilation Mediated by Dopamine Contamination: A Paradox Resolved Hypertension, August 1, 2005; 46(2): 355 - 359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Green, I. Gispan-Herman, and G. Yadid Increased arachidonic acid concentration in the brain of Flinders Sensitive Line rats, an animal model of depression J. Lipid Res., June 1, 2005; 46(6): 1093 - 1096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Kitajka, A. J. Sinclair, R. S. Weisinger, H. S. Weisinger, M. Mathai, A. P. Jayasooriya, J. E. Halver, and L. G. Puskas Effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on brain gene expression PNAS, July 27, 2004; 101(30): 10931 - 10936. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Sharon, I. Bar-Joseph, G. E. Mirick, C. N. Serhan, and D. J. Selkoe Altered Fatty Acid Composition of Dopaminergic Neurons Expressing {alpha}-Synuclein and Human Brains with {alpha}-Synucleinopathies J. Biol. Chem., December 12, 2003; 278(50): 49874 - 49881. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K.-F. Ng and S. M. Innis Behavioral Responses Are Altered in Piglets with Decreased Frontal Cortex Docosahexaenoic Acid J. Nutr., October 1, 2003; 133(10): 3222 - 3227. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Aid, S. Vancassel, C. Poumes-Ballihaut, S. Chalon, P. Guesnet, and M. Lavialle Effect of a diet-induced n-3 PUFA depletion on cholinergic parameters in the rat hippocampus J. Lipid Res., August 1, 2003; 44(8): 1545 - 1551. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. G. Puskas, K. Kitajka, C. Nyakas, G. Barcelo-Coblijn, and T. Farkas Short-term administration of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil results in increased transthyretin transcription in old rat hippocampus PNAS, February 18, 2003; 100(4): 1580 - 1585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Kodas, S. Vancassel, B. Lejeune, D. Guilloteau, and S. Chalon Reversibility of n-3 fatty acid deficiency-induced changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission in rats: critical role of developmental stage J. Lipid Res., August 1, 2002; 43(8): 1209 - 1219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Zimmer, S. Vancassel, S. Cantagrel, P. Breton, S. Delamanche, D. Guilloteau, G. Durand, and S. Chalon The dopamine mesocorticolimbic pathway is affected by deficiency in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2002; 75(4): 662 - 667. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Mirnikjoo, S. E. Brown, H. F. S. Kim, L. B. Marangell, J. D. Sweatt, and E. J. Weeber Protein Kinase Inhibition by omega -3 Fatty Acids J. Biol. Chem., March 30, 2001; 276(14): 10888 - 10896. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Berger, G. Crozier, T. Bisogno, P. Cavaliere, S. Innis, and V. Di Marzo Anandamide and diet: Inclusion of dietary arachidonate and docosahexaenoate leads to increased brain levels of the corresponding N-acylethanolamines in piglets PNAS, May 22, 2001; 98(11): 6402 - 6406. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]