Neuroprotective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease is mediated by a reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by deterioration of the nigrostriatal system and associated with chronic neuroinflammation. Glial activation has been associated with regulating the survival of dopaminergic neurons and is thought to contribute to PD through the release of proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors, such as reactive nitric oxide (NO) that triggers or exacerbates neurodegeneration in PD. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exert protective effects, including antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant activity, and may be promising for delaying or preventing PD by attenuating neuroinflammation and preserving dopaminergic neurons. The present study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation that was rich in PUFAs on dopaminergic neuron loss, the density of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-immunoreactive cells, and microglia and astrocyte reactivity in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatal dopaminergic fibers.Methods: The animals were supp...