Structured Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Enhances Motility and Promotes the Antioxidant Capacity of Aged C. elegans.

Fecha de publicación: 26/07/2023 Fecha Ahead of Print: 26/07/2023

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Julia Tortajada Pérez

  Autor

• Rafael Vázquez Manrique

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Mora I
• Pérez-Santamaria A
• Arola L
• Puiggròs F

Grupos

• Biomedicina Molecular, Celular y Genómica

  

  Leader

  José María Millán Salvador

• Unidad mixta de investigación en enfermedades raras (CIPF)

  

  Leader

  José María Millán Salvador

Abstract

The human lifespan has increased over the past century; however, healthspans have not kept up with this trend, especially cognitive health. Among nutrients for brain function maintenance, long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (?-3 LCPUFA): DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) must be highlighted, particularly structured forms of EPA and DHA which were developed to improve bioavailability and bioactivity in comparison with conventional ?-3 supplements. This study aims to elucidate the effect of a structured triglyceride form of DHA (DHA-TG) on the healthspan of aged C. elegans. Using a thrashing assay, the nematodes were monitored at 4, 8, and 12 days of adulthood, and DHA-TG improved its motility at every age without affecting lifespan. In addition, the treatment promoted antioxidant capacity by enhancing the activity and expression of SOD (superoxide dismutase) in the nematodes. Lastly, as the effect of DHA-TG was lost in the DAF-16 mutant strain, it might be hypothesized that the effects of DHA need DAF-16/FOXO as an intermediary. In brief, DHA-TG exerted a healthspan-promoting effect resulting in both enhanced physical fitness and increased antioxidant defense in aged C. elegans. For the first time, an improvement in locomotive function in aged wild-type nematodes is described following DHA-TG treatment.

Keywords

• C. elegans; DAF-16/FOXO; PUFA; aging; antioxidant; cognitive decline; docosahexaenoic acid; healthspan; nematode; omega-3; oxidative stress; physical decline; structured lipids