Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid for the proper functioning of neuronal cells: their role in mood disorders

Alfonso Valenzuela B

doi:10.3989/gya.085208

Autores/as

Alfonso Valenzuela B Centre of Lipids, INTA, University of Chile, Santiago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.085208

Palabras clave:

Acido docosahexaenoico, Desordenes del comportamiento, Fosfolípidos cerebrales, Función neuronal

Resumen

El cerebro y el sistema nervioso son tejidos con un alto contenido de dos ácidos grasos poliinsaturados: el ácido araquidónico (20:4, omega-6, AA) y el ácido docosahexaenoico (22:6, omega-3, DHA). A pesar de la abundancia de estos ácidos grasos en dichos tejidos los mamíferos no los pueden sintetizar de novo. Sin embargo, la concentración de estos ácidos grasos puede ser modificada por la dieta. El AA y el DHA pueden ser aportados por la dieta como tales (preformados) o a partir de los respectivos precursores de origen vegetal. El ácido linoleico, precursor del AA es muy abundante en la dieta occidental, por lo cual la formación de AA no es restrictiva. Por el contrario, el ácido alfa linolénico, cual es el precursor del DHA, es mucho menos disponible a partir de nuestra dieta, siendo muy restringido el consumo de este ácido graso en algunas poblaciones. El desarrollo del sistema nervioso ocurre de forma excepcionalmente rápida durante la última etapa del período gestacional y durante la primera etapa del período post natal. En estas etapas se requieren importantes cantidades de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-6 y omega-3, particularmente de DHA, ya que estos ácidos grasos son críticos para el crecimiento neuronal y para el desarrollo y función del cerebro y la retina. En esta revisión se analizan varias funciones del DHA en el sistema nervioso, su metabolismo en los fosfolípidos y su función en diferentes desordenes neurológicos y del comportamiento, tales como la enfermedad de Alzheimer, diferentes formas de depresión, y otras.

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