Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Synaptic plasma membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase activity is not affected by docosahexaenoic acid-induced decrease

Hossain Shahdat1, Michio Hashimoto, Toshio Shimada

  • 1Department of Environmental Physiology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo 693-8501, Japan.

Life Sciences
|March 31, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The silent warning: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin as a biomarker for subclinical coronary artery disease in seemingly healthy Japanese population.

Preventive medicine reports·2026
Same author

Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa) Enhances Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Japanese: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology·2026
Same author

Effects of Consuming a Docosahexaenoic Acid-Enriched Milk Beverage on the Erythrocyte Omega-3 Index and Stress Index in Healthy Japanese Schoolchildren Aged 12 to 15 Years.

Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology·2026
Same author

Chronic theobromine administration attenuates short-term memory decline via neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8).

The Journal of nutritional biochemistry·2026
Same author

Impact of the Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele on Cognition and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels in the Plasma Membrane of Red Blood Cells in Healthy Elderly Japanese Population.

Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders extra·2025
Same author

Functional benefits of ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice on cognition, apathy, and bone health in older adults: A 12-month randomized controlled trial.

Experimental and therapeutic medicine·2025

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in rats increased DHA levels in brain membranes, reducing membrane order and oxidative stress. This dietary intervention did not impact acetylcholinesterase activity but altered lipid composition.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3) is a crucial omega-3 fatty acid for brain function.
  • Understanding DHA's impact on synaptic membrane properties and enzyme activity is vital for neurological health research.
  • Previous studies suggest DHA influences membrane fluidity and oxidative stress markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of chronic docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) administration on cerebral cortex synaptic plasma membrane.
  • To assess changes in membrane order, acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress markers following DHA supplementation.
  • To determine the relationship between DHA levels and synaptic membrane biophysical properties.

Main Methods:

  • Male Wistar rats were administered DHA (300 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Synaptic plasma membranes were isolated from the cerebral cortex for analysis.
  • Techniques included fluorescence anisotropy (using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and pyrene) to measure membrane order and lipid mobility, acetylcholinesterase activity assays, lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen species measurements, and cholesterol/phospholipid ratio determination.

    • Main Results:

    • DHA administration significantly increased DHA levels and the DHA/arachidonic acid ratio in synaptic plasma membranes.
    • Membrane order decreased, while lipid lateral mobility increased, indicating enhanced fluidity.
    • Acetylcholinesterase activity remained unaffected, but phospholipid content increased, and the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio decreased. Oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxide, reactive oxygen species) were reduced.

    Conclusions:

    • Chronic DHA administration increases synaptic membrane fluidity and reduces oxidative stress in rat cerebral cortex.
    • DHA supplementation does not alter synaptic acetylcholinesterase activity.
    • The findings suggest DHA favorably modulates synaptic membrane biophysical properties without inducing adverse effects on enzyme function or oxidative balance.