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Docosahexaenoic Acid Therapy of Experimental Ischemic Stroke

  • Ludmila Belayev
  • , Larissa Khoutorova
  • , Kristal D. Atkins
  • , Tiffany N. Eady
  • , Song Hong
  • , Yan Lu
  • , Andre Obenaus
  • , Nicolas G. Bazan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We examined the neuroprotective efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 essential fatty acid family member, in acute ischemic stroke; studied the therapeutic window; and investigated whether DHA administration after an ischemic stroke is able to salvage the penumbra. In each series described below, SD rats underwent 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). In series 1, DHA or saline was administered i. v. at 3, 4, 5, or 6 h after stroke. In series 2, MRI was conducted on days 1, 3 and 7. In series 3, DHA or saline was administered at 3 h, and lipidomic analysis was conducted on day 3. Treatment with DHA significantly improved behavior and reduced total infarct volume by a mean of 40% when administered at 3 h, by 66% at 4 h, and by 59% at 5 h. Total lesion volumes computed from T2-weighted images were reduced in the DHA group at all time points. Lipidomic analysis showed that DHA treatment potentiates neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) synthesis in the penumbra 3 days after MCAo. DHA administration provides neurobehavioral recovery, reduces brain infarction and edema, and activates NPD1 synthesis in the penumbra when administered up to 5 h after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. © 2010 The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-41
Number of pages9
JournalTranslational Stroke Research
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Keywords

  • Animal models
  • Focal ischemia
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Neuroprotection

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