Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blood of spontaneously or induced muricidal male Wistar rats

Brain Res Bull. 2003 Apr 15;60(1-2):161-5. doi: 10.1016/s0361-9230(03)00029-7.

Abstract

Serum levels of several n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were compared in male Wistar muricidal (Mu) and non-Mu rats. The Mu behavior was either spontaneous or induced by long-term isolation, feeding with a starch-enriched polyunsaturated fatty acid diet (PUFA+S), water restriction, or adrenalectomy (ADX). Arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were lower in diet-induced (PUFA+S) Mu rats than in their non-Mu controls. Total n-6 fatty acid levels were also lower in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 fatty acids levels were lower in rats with isolation-induced Mu behavior. The n-3/n-6 ratio was higher in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. The changes in ARA levels were greater than those in DHA levels, possibly due to the higher blood-brain barrier passage of arachidonic acid. The results were analyzed in the light of recent results showing a role of PUFAs in human and animal behavior.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenalectomy / methods
  • Aggression / drug effects*
  • Aggression / physiology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / classification
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / blood*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / classification
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / physiology
  • Male
  • Psychosocial Deprivation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Water Deprivation

Substances

  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated