DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is perhaps the most pleiotropic molecule in nerve cell biology. This long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acid has evolved to accomplish essential functions ranging from structural components allowing fast events in nerve cell membrane physiology to regulation of neurogenes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/6/907 |
| _version_ | 1827690616623988736 |
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| author | Mario Díaz Fátima Mesa-Herrera Raquel Marín |
| author_facet | Mario Díaz Fátima Mesa-Herrera Raquel Marín |
| author_sort | Mario Díaz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is perhaps the most pleiotropic molecule in nerve cell biology. This long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acid has evolved to accomplish essential functions ranging from structural components allowing fast events in nerve cell membrane physiology to regulation of neurogenesis and synaptic function. Strikingly, the plethora of DHA effects has to take place within the hostile pro-oxidant environment of the brain parenchyma, which might suggest a molecular suicide. In order to circumvent this paradox, different molecular strategies have evolved during the evolution of brain cells to preserve DHA and to minimize the deleterious effects of its oxidation. In this context, DHA has emerged as a member of the “indirect antioxidants” family, the redox effects of which are not due to direct redox interactions with reactive species, but to modulation of gene expression within thioredoxin and glutathione antioxidant systems and related pathways. Weakening or deregulation of these self-protecting defenses orchestrated by DHA is associated with normal aging but also, more worryingly, with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present review, we elaborate on the essential functions of DHA in the brain, including its role as indirect antioxidant, the selenium connection for proper antioxidant function and their changes during normal aging and in Alzheimer’s disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:43:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-18600ba912a84a389daf97acfe58e43a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:43:36Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj.art-18600ba912a84a389daf97acfe58e43a2023-11-21T22:43:48ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212021-06-0110690710.3390/antiox10060907DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD NeurodegenerationMario Díaz0Fátima Mesa-Herrera1Raquel Marín2Laboratory of Membrane Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 Tenerife, SpainLaboratory of Membrane Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 Tenerife, SpainUnidad Asociada ULL-CSIC “Fisiología y Biofísica de la Membrana Celular en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas y Tumorales”, 38206 Tenerife, SpainDHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is perhaps the most pleiotropic molecule in nerve cell biology. This long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acid has evolved to accomplish essential functions ranging from structural components allowing fast events in nerve cell membrane physiology to regulation of neurogenesis and synaptic function. Strikingly, the plethora of DHA effects has to take place within the hostile pro-oxidant environment of the brain parenchyma, which might suggest a molecular suicide. In order to circumvent this paradox, different molecular strategies have evolved during the evolution of brain cells to preserve DHA and to minimize the deleterious effects of its oxidation. In this context, DHA has emerged as a member of the “indirect antioxidants” family, the redox effects of which are not due to direct redox interactions with reactive species, but to modulation of gene expression within thioredoxin and glutathione antioxidant systems and related pathways. Weakening or deregulation of these self-protecting defenses orchestrated by DHA is associated with normal aging but also, more worryingly, with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present review, we elaborate on the essential functions of DHA in the brain, including its role as indirect antioxidant, the selenium connection for proper antioxidant function and their changes during normal aging and in Alzheimer’s disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/6/907docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)lipid–phospholipid peroxidationindirect antioxidantsglutathione peroxidase 4gene transcriptionintron retention |
| spellingShingle | Mario Díaz Fátima Mesa-Herrera Raquel Marín DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration Antioxidants docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lipid–phospholipid peroxidation indirect antioxidants glutathione peroxidase 4 gene transcription intron retention |
| title | DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration |
| title_full | DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration |
| title_fullStr | DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration |
| title_full_unstemmed | DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration |
| title_short | DHA and Its Elaborated Modulation of Antioxidant Defenses of the Brain: Implications in Aging and AD Neurodegeneration |
| title_sort | dha and its elaborated modulation of antioxidant defenses of the brain implications in aging and ad neurodegeneration |
| topic | docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lipid–phospholipid peroxidation indirect antioxidants glutathione peroxidase 4 gene transcription intron retention |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/6/907 |
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