American scientists have discovered the ability of the fish oil component to reduce the consequences of trauma and cerebral ischemia in newborn mice.

The study was conducted by members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Columbia.

The famous professor Nicholas Bazan, director of the Center for Neurosciences in New Orleans.

The report reports that neonatal brain damage was reduced by 50% after using a lipid emulsion with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) if the injection was made within the first 2 hours after the onset of cerebral ischemia. An article on the treatment of ischemic brain damage of newborn mice with the help of DHA was published in the online edition of "PLOS ONE".

In the course of this study, scientists compared the effectiveness of emulsions containing two omega-3 fatty acids - DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Both substances were used in different doses to select the optimal. The researchers found that DHA provided brain protection, and EPA did not do this. The therapeutic window ranged from 1.5 hours to ischemia to 2 hours after ischemia. After 4 hours, the drug did not have a protective effect.

DHA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid, which is vital for the proper functioning of the brain, including the visual function. It also plays a role in the development of the nervous system.

Moreover, the omega-3 fatty acids that are obtained from cold fish waters (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring) are part of a healthy diet for the prevention of heart disease.

DHA has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. Since inflammation plays a leading role in many chronic diseases, DHA has a great potential in coronary artery disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, sepsis, cancer, dry eye syndrome and age-related retinal degeneration. The possibilities of this substance are well studied and documented.

EPA also refers to omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in the fats of cold water fish. EPA is known for its ability to reduce blood clotting. In food additives containing fish oil, this acid is in combination with DHA.

Ischemic strokes, which account for about 87% of all strokes, are accompanied by a violation of the blood supply of a specific area of ??the brain as a result of blockage of blood vessels. This may be the result of blood clots or atherosclerotic changes.

With ischemic stroke there is a focus of irreversible changes (necrosis) in the place of blockage of the vessel. Around this zone is a penumbra (penumbra), which is also damaged, but the changes in it are reversible. The penumbra exists for a limited time, after a few hours there are also irreversible changes if the blood flow is not restored and neuroprotective drugs are not prescribed on time. A cascade of chemical reactions that occurs during the restoration of blood flow, including the effects of free radicals and inflammatory mediators, also contributes to cell damage.

The appointment of drugs that dissolve thrombi (thrombolysis) for today is the only effective method of treatment of ischemic stroke. But because of the narrow therapeutic window and the complexity of the application, according to US experts, only 3-5% of patients achieve sufficient effect from such treatment.

The research team of Dr. Bazan for 10 years studied the powerful therapeutic effect of DHA in ischemic stroke. His study, published in 2011, showed that DHA promotes the production of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), a natural substance with neuroprotective properties. This substance, which is formed from DHA, was discovered by Dr. Bazan himself.

But the treatment of DHA not only saved from death cells damaged by stroke. The regenerative mechanisms activated by this substance in 7 days made some affected areas almost indistinguishable from healthy tissues.

"A stroke is a terrible disease that kills 130,000 Americans every year. Stroke can occur at any age, including newborns. And the consequences of cerebral ischemia can be devastating. DHA is now widely used in the US as a dietary supplement. From the therapeutic point of view, we can already see the light at the end of the tunnel, "says Dr. Bazan.

In conclusion, the researchers said that much work remains to be done to study the neuroprotective effect of lipid emulsion in humans. They hope that this remedy will be a new word in stroke therapy, and will help reduce the death rate in this disease.

According to the US CDC report, every stroke affects 795 000 Americans, and for every 18 cases of stroke, there is 1 death. In developing countries, this statistics generally looks depressing. Stroke is also the leading cause of disability in the US.

In 2010, direct and indirect losses of the United States due to strokes were estimated at 74 billion dollars.

In addition, strokes occur in 1 of 2-5 thousand newborns, so this age is the most risky compared with other periods of childhood. Ischemic stroke in newborns is associated with significant and long-term neurologic impairment. 20-60% of surviving infants exhibit terrible neurophysiological consequences, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy and behavioral disorders.

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