Anandamide and diet: Inclusion of dietary arachidonate and docosahexaenoate leads to increased brain levels of the corresponding N-acylethanolamines in piglets

AUTOR(ES)

Berger, Alvin

FONTE

The National Academy of Sciences

RESUMO

Endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors have been discovered recently and include some N-acylethanolamines (NAEs; e.g., N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and some 2-acylglycerols (e.g., sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol). Previously, we found these compounds to be active biologically when administered per os in large quantities to mice. In the present work, piglets were fed diets with and without 20:4n−6 and 22:6n−3 fatty acid precursors of NAEs, in levels similar to those found in porcine milk, during the first 18 days of life, and corresponding brain NAEs were assessed. In piglets fed diets containing 20:4n−6 and 22:6n−3, there were increases in several biologically active NAEs in brain homogenates—20:4n−6 NAE (4-fold), 20:5n−3 NAE (5-fold), and 22:5n−3 and 22:6n−3 NAE (9- to 10-fold). These results support a mechanism we propose for dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids influences on brain biochemistry with presumed functional sequelae. This paradigm will enable targeted investigations to determine whether and why specific populations such as infants, elderly, or persons suffering from certain clinical conditions may benefit from dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Documentos Relacionados

• N-Acylethanolamines in Seeds. Quantification of Molecular Species and Their Degradation upon Imbibition1
• N-Acylethanolamines Are Metabolized by Lipoxygenase and Amidohydrolase in Competing Pathways during Cottonseed Imbibition1
• N-Acylethanolamines in Signal Transduction of Elicitor Perception. Attenuation of Alkalinization Response and Activation of Defense Gene Expression1
• Inhibition of Phospholipase Dα by N-Acylethanolamines1
• N-Acylethanolamines: Formation and Molecular Composition of a New Class of Plant Lipids1