Omega-3 from Flaxseed Oil Protects Obese Mice Against Diabetic Retinopathy Through GPR120 Receptor

Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 25;8(1):14318. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32553-5.

Abstract

The chronic and low-grade inflammation induced by obesity seem to be the "first hit" to retinopathy associated to diabetes type 2. Herein, we hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil enriched diet disrupt the pro-inflammatory status in the retina, protecting against retinopathy development. For eight weeks under a high-fat diet (HF), several physiological parameters were monitored to follow the metabolic homeostasis disruption. After this period, mice were treated with a HF substituted in part of lard by flaxseed oil (FS) for another eight weeks. Food behavior, weight gain, glucose and insulin sensitivity, electroretinography, RT-qPCR and western blots were carried out. The HF was able to induce a pro-inflammatory background in the retina, changing IL1β and TNFα. VEGF, a master piece of retinopathy, had early onset increased also induced by HF. The FS-diet was able to decrease inflammation and retinopathy and improved retinal electro stimuli compared to HF group. GPR120 and GPR40 (G Protein-Coupled Receptors 120 and 40), an omega-3 fatty acid receptors, were detected in the retina for the first time. FS-diet modulated the gene expression and protein content of these receptors. Thus, unsaturated fatty acids protect the retina from diabetes type 2 mice model from disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / metabolism*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / pathology
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / prevention & control*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Linseed Oil / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Retina / drug effects
  • Retina / pathology

Substances

  • FFAR4 protein, mouse
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Linseed Oil