DHA and Fish Oil Shown to Improve the Brain After Stroke

by | Mar 5, 2018 | 2016, Brain Health, DHA, Fish Oil Supplements, Stroke

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A combination of Omega-3 fish oils and DHA significantly improved brain tissue recovery by increasing blood vessel and nerve tissue growth and spatial memory following induced ischemic stroke in a mouse model.

vitaminsStroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States 1,2. Current treatment includes thrombolytic therapy (breaking clots) but research is starting to look into rescuing and repairing injured brain tissue 1,2. A recent study found that a combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation after stroke reduced brain tissue atrophy and improved cognitive functioning 1.

The studies on rescuing and repairing brain tissue are preliminary and therefore the study was conducted in mice. Adult mice (C57BL/6J male mice, 10-12 weeks old) were put under surgery to induce an ischemic stroke (middle cerebral artery occlusion). Immediately after surgery the mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=7/group):

  1. Control Group, normal diet
  2. DHA Treatment Group, injections of DHA (10mg/kg body weight) 2-hours after surgery and then daily for 14-days
  3. Omega-3 Treatment Group, fed fish oil (triple strength fish oil, n-3 PUFA [4%]) beginning at day 5 after surgery and up to 28 days.
  4. Combined DHA and Omega-3 group, injections of DHA for 14-days and diet high in omega-3s

Twenty-eight days following surgery, mice were anesthetized and the brains were studied. The following results were observed 1:

  • Brain atrophy was significantly reduced only in the combined DHA and Omega-3 group (13.32 +/- 1.64 mm3, p<0.01 vs control).
    • These findings show the protective effects of combined treatment
  • Spatial learning ability was improved in the combination DHA and Omega-3 fish oil group, as demonstrated by the Morris water maze test (p<0.01 on Day 26 in DHA + fish oil and fish oil only groups).
    • These findings suggest DHA + fish oil and fish oil supplementation improve spatial cognitive functioning.
  • Angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels) p<0.05) and neurogenesis (the growth and development of nervous tissue) p<0.01) are markers of brain injury repair and were both significantly increased in the combination DHA and Omega-3 fish oil group compared to control.
    • These findings indicate DHA and Omega-3 fish oil combined promote new growth after ischemia, which could improve long term functioning.
  • Glial scar formation is a marker of brain tissue injury, and the combination DHA and Omega-3 fish oil group suppressed glial scar formation (based on immunostaining of astrocyte markers, p=0.005 compared to control).
    • These findings indicate DHA and Omega-3 fish oil suppressed glial scars from forming, which might be associated with improved tissue regeneration and repair.

In conclusion, a combination of injected DHA and supplemented Omega-3 fish oil significantly reduced tissue atrophy and improved cognitive functions after an induced ischemic stroke in mice 1. This was the first study to examine DHA and Omega-3 fish oil starting 2-hours after the onset of ischemic stroke. It is important to note this was in a mouse model and a surgically induced “stroke” and therefore is different than an actual stroke occurring in a human. These results warrant further study 1.

Source: Pu H, Jiang X, Hu X, et al. Delayed docosahexaenoic acid treatment combined with dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids promotes long-term neurovascular restoration after ischemic stroke. Translational stroke research. 2016;7(6):521-534.

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted March 5, 2018.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Pu H, Jiang X, Hu X, et al. Delayed docosahexaenoic acid treatment combined with dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids promotes long-term neurovascular restoration after ischemic stroke. Translational stroke research. 2016;7(6):521-534.
  2. Powers WJ, Derdeyn CP, Biller J, et al. 2015 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association focused update of the 2013 guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke regarding endovascular treatment: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2015;46(10):3020-3035.