Gene expression analysis in human fetal retinal explants treated with docosahexaenoic acid.

Purpose: To explore the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on gene expression during human fetal retinal maturation.

Methods: Human fetal retinal explants were cultured in serum-free Waymouth's medium supplemented with DHA or oleic acid (OA), using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the vehicle. After 14 days in culture, fatty acid composition was assessed, and the abundance of 2400 cDNAs was examined with a human cDNA microarray system.

Long-term n-3 FA deficiency modifies peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta mRNA abundance in rat ocular tissues.

Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are a FA-response system involved in diverse cellular responses. FA regulate PPAR activity and modulate PPAR mRNA abundance. Increasing evidence indicates that PUFA are required for optimal neuronal development and function.