Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid prevent a decrease in dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitters in frontal cortex caused by a linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid deficient diet in formula-fed piglets

This study examined the effects of diets deficient (D) in linoleic [18:2(n- 6)] and linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] at 0.8 and 0.05% energy, respectively, o r adequate (C) in 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3) at 8.3 and 0.8% energy, respectiv ely, without (-) or with (+) 0.2% energy arachidonic [20:3(n-6)] and 0.16% energy docosahexaenoic [22:6(n-3)] acid in piglets fed from birth to 18 d. Frontal cortex dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitters and phosph olipid fatty acids were measured. Piglets fed the D- diet had significantly lower frontal cortex dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic (DOPAC), homovani llic acid (HVA), serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentr ations than did piglets fed the C- diets. Frontal cortex dopamine, norepine phrine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin and 5-HIAA were higher in piglets fed the Dcompared to those fed the D- diet (P < 0.05) and not different between pigl ets fed the D+ and those fed the C- diets or the C- and C+ diets. Piglets f ed the D-diet had lower frontal cortex phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phospha tidylinositol (PI) 20:4(n-6) and PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) 22:6( n-3) than did piglets fed the C- diet (P < 0.05). Piglets fed the D+ diet h ad higher frontal cortex PC and PI 20:4(n-6) and PC, PE, PS and PI 22:6(n-3 ) than did piglets fed the D- diet. These studies show that dietary essenti al fatty acid deficiency fed for 18 d from birth affects frontal cortex neu rotransmitters in rapidly growing piglets and that these changes are specif ically due to 20:4(n-6) and/or 22:6(n-3).