The Antipsychotic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Rats

• Published in: The American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 350; no. 3; pp. 212 - 217
• Main Authors: Kokacya, Mehmet Hanifi, MD, Copoglu, Umit Sertan, MD, Dokuyucu, Recep, MD, Inanir, Sema, MD, Erbas, Oytun, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-09-2015; Copyright by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
• Subjects: Animals; Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacology; Antipsychotic effect; Apomorphine - pharmacology; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Chlorpromazine - pharmacology; Docosahexaenoic Acids - pharmacology; Dopamine Agonists - pharmacology; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - pharmacology; Glutathione - metabolism; Internal Medicine; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Male; Malondialdehyde - metabolism; Omega-3 fatty acids; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Rats, Wistar; Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects; Antipsychotic effect; Oxidative stress; Omega-3 fatty acids
• ISSN: 0002-9629; 1538-2990
• DOI: 10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000531

Background In humans, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for cell membranes, brain function and nerve transmission continuation. When animals are exposed to a new environment—or as a result of an apomorphine application that creates an agonistic effect on D1 and D2 receptors—they display behavioral reactions like rearing and stereotypy. This study aims to reveal the possible antipsychotic and oxidative effects of omega-3 fatty acids by comparing with chlorpromazine, a conventional antipsychotic drug, through evaluating the novelty-induced rearing and apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviors, as well as malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in rats. Methods Twenty-eight, adult, male, Wistar rats were used in the study. Briefly, 4 groups of rats (n = 7) were administered docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (300 mg/kg; DHA: 120 mg/kg + EPA: 180 mg/kg intraperitoneally [IP]), DHA + EPA (150 mg/kg; DHA: 60 mg/kg + EPA: 90 mg/kg IP), chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg, IP) and isotonic saline (1 mL/kg, IP). One hour later, apomorphine (2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered to each rat. After the apomorphine administration, rats were observed for stereotypic behavior. Results This study shows that omega-3 fatty acids, “similar to antipsychotics,” reversed the psychotic like effects, increase of oxidants and decrease of antioxidants that are composed experimentally in rats. Conclusions The application of omega-3 fatty acids has antipsychotic effects and causes an oxidative imbalance. This study adds new evidence to the current literature regarding the possible antipsychotic effects of omega-3 fatty acids.