And diet can influence membrane homeostasis required for functional recovery after spinal cord injury. It is important to consider that although DHA (1.2 ) is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in our diet, there are other less abundant fatty acids as well such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA has also been reported to support neural repair events such as reducing axonal injury after spinal cord compression; however, its action appears less effective than DHA [21]. Given the large difference in contents of DHA (1.2 ) Vs. EPA (0.24 ), it is likely that the main effects of the diet are related to DHA. The effects of the n-3 feeding can also be perceived at the levels of AA and DHA in the spinal cord, as evidenced by results showing that n-3 deficiency increased AA levels but reduced DHA levels. These results are consistent with the possibility that AA could replace DHA in the membrane. A reduction in membrane fluidity can affect transmembrane receptors such as TrkB, and this may explain why the n-3 def diet reduced TrkB activity in our study. DHA modifies the characteristics of lipid rafts by incorporating into raft domains of the membrane and influencing signaling across embedded receptors [22] such as TrkB receptors [23]. The current results emphasize the pervasive effects of brain trauma impacting CNS regions, which are distant from the lesion. These results have important implications for the design of potential treatments directed to counteract the effects of TBI. Based on results showing the comprehensive effects of brain injury in the brain and spinal cord, it appears that interventions that have the capacity to influence the entire neuroaxis can be particularlyeffective. As discussed above, the broad spectrum of action of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA positively influencing the brain and spinal cord appears particularly suitable for this purpose. It is critical to complement our molecular data with behavioral studies. It is known that the type of TBI used in the current study promotes deficits in cognition and gait [1] and that post-injury treatment with DHA counteracts some these deficits [8]. A period as short as 12 days of DHA following FPI has been shown to be sufficient to counteract deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning [8]. The unique aspect of our results is the demonstration that dietary DHA during CNS 298690-60-5 maturation confers resilience to neurological damage in adult life. These results have important implications to appraise the role of diet as a vulnerability factor for the outcome of TBI. It is a common observation that healing after brain or spinal cord injury is not often predictable based on the extent of the neurological damage. This SC 1 biological activity implies that vulnerability factors associated with the environment and genetics have great potential to determine 1527786 the outcome of CNS injured patients. Our results show that exposure to n-3 fatty acids during gestation and throughout maturation of the CNS is important for building resilience to neurological damage incurred later on in life. Further studies are required to define whether shorter dietary DHA exposure can confer CNS protection. In conclusion, these results are important to define the broad and positive action of n-3 diet on counteracting the effects of concussive brain injury on the spinal cord.Materials and MethodsAll experimental procedures were performed in accordance with the United States National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Anima.And diet can influence membrane homeostasis required for functional recovery after spinal cord injury. It is important to consider that although DHA (1.2 ) is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in our diet, there are other less abundant fatty acids as well such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA has also been reported to support neural repair events such as reducing axonal injury after spinal cord compression; however, its action appears less effective than DHA [21]. Given the large difference in contents of DHA (1.2 ) Vs. EPA (0.24 ), it is likely that the main effects of the diet are related to DHA. The effects of the n-3 feeding can also be perceived at the levels of AA and DHA in the spinal cord, as evidenced by results showing that n-3 deficiency increased AA levels but reduced DHA levels. These results are consistent with the possibility that AA could replace DHA in the membrane. A reduction in membrane fluidity can affect transmembrane receptors such as TrkB, and this may explain why the n-3 def diet reduced TrkB activity in our study. DHA modifies the characteristics of lipid rafts by incorporating into raft domains of the membrane and influencing signaling across embedded receptors [22] such as TrkB receptors [23]. The current results emphasize the pervasive effects of brain trauma impacting CNS regions, which are distant from the lesion. These results have important implications for the design of potential treatments directed to counteract the effects of TBI. Based on results showing the comprehensive effects of brain injury in the brain and spinal cord, it appears that interventions that have the capacity to influence the entire neuroaxis can be particularlyeffective. As discussed above, the broad spectrum of action of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA positively influencing the brain and spinal cord appears particularly suitable for this purpose. It is critical to complement our molecular data with behavioral studies. It is known that the type of TBI used in the current study promotes deficits in cognition and gait [1] and that post-injury treatment with DHA counteracts some these deficits [8]. A period as short as 12 days of DHA following FPI has been shown to be sufficient to counteract deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning [8]. The unique aspect of our results is the demonstration that dietary DHA during CNS maturation confers resilience to neurological damage in adult life. These results have important implications to appraise the role of diet as a vulnerability factor for the outcome of TBI. It is a common observation that healing after brain or spinal cord injury is not often predictable based on the extent of the neurological damage. This implies that vulnerability factors associated with the environment and genetics have great potential to determine 1527786 the outcome of CNS injured patients. Our results show that exposure to n-3 fatty acids during gestation and throughout maturation of the CNS is important for building resilience to neurological damage incurred later on in life. Further studies are required to define whether shorter dietary DHA exposure can confer CNS protection. In conclusion, these results are important to define the broad and positive action of n-3 diet on counteracting the effects of concussive brain injury on the spinal cord.Materials and MethodsAll experimental procedures were performed in accordance with the United States National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Anima.
