Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile.
Faculty of Medicine, School of Nutrition, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago 8380000, Chile.
Nutrients. 2021 Mar 18;13(3):986. doi: 10.3390/nu13030986.
The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in neurogenesis and brain development throughout the life cycle is fundamental. DHA and AA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) vital for many human physiological processes, such as signaling pathways, gene expression, structure and function of membranes, among others. DHA and AA are deposited into the lipids of cell membranes that form the gray matter representing approximately 25% of the total content of brain fatty acids. Both fatty acids have effects on neuronal growth and differentiation through the modulation of the physical properties of neuronal membranes, signal transduction associated with G proteins, and gene expression. DHA and AA have a relevant role in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which are associated with characteristic pathological expressions as mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. The present review analyzes the neuroprotective role of DHA and AA in the extreme stages of life, emphasizing the importance of these LCPUFA during the first year of life and in the developing/prevention of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.
二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）和花生四烯酸（AA）在整个生命周期中的神经发生和大脑发育中的作用是基础的。DHA 和 AA 是长链多不饱和脂肪酸（LCPUFA），对许多人体生理过程至关重要，如信号通路、基因表达、膜的结构和功能等。DHA 和 AA 沉积在形成灰质的细胞膜脂质中，占大脑脂肪酸总含量的约 25%。这两种脂肪酸通过调节神经元膜的物理性质、与 G 蛋白相关的信号转导以及基因表达，对神经元的生长和分化产生影响。DHA 和 AA 在神经保护方面发挥着重要作用，可以预防阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病等神经退行性疾病，这些疾病与线粒体功能障碍、神经炎症和氧化应激等特征性病理表现有关。本综述分析了 DHA 和 AA 在生命极端阶段的神经保护作用，强调了这些 LCPUFA 在生命第一年和神经退行性疾病的发展/预防中的重要性，这些疾病与衰老有关。
