N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine reduces neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment after mild traumatic brain injury in rats

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 12;11(1):756. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80818-9.

Abstract

At present, there is a growing interest in the study of the neurotropic activity of polyunsaturated fatty acids ethanolamides (N-acylethanolamines). N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) is an endogenous metabolite and structural analogue of anandamide, a widely studied endocannabinoid derived from arachidonic acid. The results of this study demonstrate that DHEA, when administered subcutaneously (10 mg/kg/day, 7 days), promotes cognitive recovery in rats subjected to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In the cerebral cortex of experimental animals, we analyzed the dynamics of Iba-1-positive microglia activity changes and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers (IL1β, IL6, CD86). We used immortalized mouse microglial cells (SIM-A9) to assess the effects of DHEA on LPS-induced cytokines/ROS/NO/nitrite, as well as on CD206 (anti-inflammatory microglia) and the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) production. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that DHEA: (1) improves indicators of anxiety and long-term memory; (2) inhibits the pro-inflammatory microglial cells activity; (3) decrease the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines/ROS/NO/nitrites; (4) increase CD206 and SOD production. In general, the results of this study indicate that DHEA has a complex effect on the neuroinflammation processes, which indicates its high therapeutic potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Concussion / complications*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / etiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / pathology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids