The Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Brain DHA and EPA Content and Fatty Acid Profile

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) constitutes a large portion of the brain and nervous tissue and is necessary for cognitive function and development. Evidence suggests that supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids may improve cognitive performance and be protective against cognitive decline. However, the changes in brain phospholipid fatty acid composition after supplementation with n-3 fatty acids are poorly described. The objective of this study was to 1) investigate how increasing dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+DHA influences brain fatty acid composition, and 2) determine if the red blood cell (RBC), as a biomarker, reflects dietary induced fatty acid changes in the brain. Mice were fed fish oil with increasing EPA+DHA concentrations, equivalent to recommendations by the American Heart Association on a percent of energy (%en) basis (0.1%, 0.675%, and 1.8% of total energy from EPA+DHA in the diet). Whole brain and blood samples were collected, phospholipids were isolated, and fatty acid methyl este...