Abstract

JEREB, Silvia  and  AADYND. Grupo de Estudio Nutrición y Neurociencias. Subgrupo Neurocrítico et al. Omega 3 fatty acids in traumatic brain injury. Diaeta [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.154, pp.23-28. ISSN 1852-7337.

Traumatic brain injury is characterized by axonal destruction, myelin degeneration, neuron cells death; revealed by neuroinflammation, overstimulation by toxicity and oxidative stress. Omega 3 fatty acids have a therapeutical effect due to their anti inflammatory and cell protective qualities. Brain tissue is mainly made of fat, with a great concentration of arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are converted into eicosanoids and docosanoids when freed from the membranes. Araquidonic acid products have a pro-inflammatory action, while eicosapentaenoic (EPA) products are non-inflammatory. EPA and DHA may be metabolized to resolvins and protectins, which participate in the return of tissues to physiological conditions after stress or in the inflammation resolution process. Delivering Om-3 PUFA after traumatic brain injury may improve neurological results, by diminishing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, as well as providing neurotrophic support and activation of cell survival pathways. Even though there is sufficient evidence to prove their neuroprotective effect on traumatic brain injury (TBI) with experimental models, the role of DHA and EPA in humans remains uncertain. So far preclinical results and case reports upon the use of Omega 3 fatty acids seem encouraging, but further research on the use of Om-3 PUFA for the treatment of TBI as well as well designed clinical trials are needed to determine whether supplementation improves results after brain injury.

Keywords : Traumatic brain injury; Fatty acids omega 3; Oxidative stress; Neuroinflammation; Neuroprotection.

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