Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation prevents learning and memory impairment induced by chronic ethanol consumption in adolescent male rats through restoration of inflammatory and oxidative responses.

Objective: Ethanol (Eth) intake is known to cause numerous detrimental effects on the structure and function of the brain, and it is commonly used as a psychostimulant drug by adolescents. Conversely, omega-3 (O) can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and promote the maintenance of neurophysiological functions. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of O on behavioral alterations, oxidative stress, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels induced by chronic Eth intake during adolescence in rats.

Materials And Methods: Adolescent male rats (21 days old) were divided as follows: (1) Vehicle, (2) Eth (Eth in drinking water [20%]), (3-5) Eth + O (50/100/150 mg/kg), and (6) O (150 mg/kg). After 5 weeks, Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests were performed, and the hippocampal and cortical levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory indices were measured.

Results: Adolescent Eth intake impairs learning and memory function in MWM and PA tests (groups × day, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). It was shown that Eth induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. O improved learning and impairment induced by Eth by reducing the adverse effects of Eth on the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the hippocampi (for malondialdehyde [MDA]/thiol: p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively) and for superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase (CAT): p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, we found that O prevented the Eth-induced increase of hippocampal IL-6 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: O supplementation acts as an effective approach to prevent learning and memory impairments induced by chronic Eth consumption during adolescence. In this respect, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of O seem to be the main underlying mechanisms of neuroprotection.