Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Accelerates Nerve Regeneration and Prevents Neuropathic Pain Behavior in Mice

Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2017 · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00723 · Published: October 17, 2017

Pharmacology Regenerative Medicine Pain Management

Simple Explanation

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are long chain fatty acids (18–22 carbons) with the ﬁrst double bond at the carbon number 3. They are well known for their health beneﬁts in cardiovascular protection and as anti-inﬂammatory. Fish oil (FO), which is the main source of EPA and DHA, have exhibited analgesic and anti-inﬂammatory activities in animal models of chronic pain. Following nerve injury, axon degeneration occurs within 24 h with myelin sheath disintegration. Meanwhile, a critical neuroinﬂammatory process is initiated with immune cells being activated and recruited into peripheral and central nervous system, in addition to activation of astrocytes and microglia, immune-like cells of the CNS.

Study Duration

10 days

Participants

Adult female and male Swiss mice weighing from 20 to 25 g

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
CFO at 2.3 g/kg signiﬁcantly prevented mechanical allodynia and reduced thermal hypernociception in mice compared to animals receiving vehicle only.
2
CFO decreased TNF levels in the spinal cord and reduced neutrophil migration, indirectly evaluated by MPO activity, in both protocols of treatment.
3
CFO 2.3 g/kg improved nerve function evidenced by SFI and electrophysiological parameters after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.

Research Summary

This work demonstrates the eﬀect of combined long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (CFO), EPA and DHA, in nerve regeneration and prevention of NP in mice, shedding light on its mechanism of action. Our results demonstrate that CFO is more eﬀective in preventing NP related symptoms when administered soon after nerve injury. This eﬀect is likely to be related to reduced neuroinﬂammation and neuronal damage as well as increased regenerative activity and motor recovery. The data presented in this study suggest that CFO, a combination of the long chain ω-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA alleviates pain hypersensitivity and promotes functional nerve recovery presenting a safe and eﬃcacious alternative for prevention and treatment of peripheral nerve injury-induced NP.

Practical Implications

Preventive Potential

CFO may be used to prevent NP development following nerve injury.

Therapeutic Potential

CFO may be used to treat well-established NP symptoms.

Safe Alternative

CFO presents a safe and efficacious profile compared to current treatments.

Study Limitations

1
The exact mechanisms by which the combination of EPA and DHA exerts its preventive effect on peripheral nerve injury remain to be elucidated
2
The potential neuroprotective effect of CFO is to be investigated
3
Further investigation is required to clarify if the regenerative potential of CFO is due to neuroprotective mechanisms

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