Nutritional Omega-3 Deficiency Alters Glucocorticoid Receptor-Signaling Pathway and Neuronal Morphology in Regionally Distinct Brain Structures Associated with Emotional Deficits

Neural Plast. 2016:2016:8574830. doi: 10.1155/2016/8574830. Epub 2015 Dec 30.

Abstract

Extensive evidence suggests that long term dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) deficiency results in altered emotional behaviour. We have recently demonstrated that n-3 PUFAs deficiency induces emotional alterations through abnormal corticosterone secretion which leads to altered dendritic arborisation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here we show that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis feedback inhibition was not compromised in n-3 deficient mice. Rather, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling pathway was inactivated in the PFC but not in the hippocampus of n-3 deficient mice. Consequently, only dendritic arborisation in PFC was affected by dietary n-3 PUFAs deficiency. In addition, occlusion experiment with GR blockade altered GR signaling in the PFC of control mice, with no further alterations in n-3 deficient mice. In conclusion, n-3 PUFAs deficiency compromised PFC, leading to dendritic atrophy, but did not change hippocampal GR function and dendritic arborisation. We argue that this GR sensitivity contributes to n-3 PUFAs deficiency-related emotional behaviour deficits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Shape / physiology
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3*
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid