Omega-3 modulates anxiety and improves autistic like features induced by high fat diet but not valproate

Background

continuous consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy and lactation could alter developmental complexity of higher brain functions and enhance appearance of social withdrawal and anxiety among offsprings. On the contrary, omega-3 fatty acids with its multi-neuro-protective effects could limit oxidative stress production and complications. We aimed to investigate the impact of HFD intake before and during pregnancy till weaning versus prenatal exposure to valproate (as a model of autism) on behavior and brain neurochemistry as well as the possible therapeutic rational of omega-3 intake.

Material and methods

After confirmation of G0 day of pregnancy, thirty Sprague–Dawley female rats were divided into: control group fed normal chow (10 kcal% from fat), group II (HFD) mothers supplied with diet of 60 kcal% from fat and group III (HFD-Omega) supplied with 60% HFD enriched with omega-3, group IV (Valp) pregnant females received sodium valproate once i.p, and group V (Valp-Omega) rats received valproate once i.p and diet enriched with omega-3. From day 7 till end of the study, offsprings were subjected to growth, neurodevelopmental assessment and behavioral tests using elevated plus maze and social interaction in open field. Levels of serotonin, GABA, neuropeptide Y, IL-6 and relative gene expression of syntaxin1A and FoxO1 gene were measured.

Results

Offsprings born to HFD and Valp-groups demonstrated growth retardation, social withdrawal together with disturbed levels of measured neurotransmitter that were improved in HFD group supplied with omega-3.

Conclusion

Omega-3 exhibited to be potential modulator of behavioral changes and autistic-like features induced by HFD.