Comparative efficacy of alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid to attenuate valproic acid-induced autism-like features

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3, ω-3) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3, ω-6) on experimental autism features induced by early prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in albino wistar pups. The pups were scrutinized on the accounts of behavioral, biochemical, and inflammatory markers, and the results suggested that the GLA can impart significant protection in comparison to ALA against VPA-induced autism features. When scrutinized histopathologically, the cerebellum of the GLA-treated animals was evident for more marked protection toward neuronal degeneration and neuronal loss in comparison to ALA. Concomitant administration of ALA and GLA with VPA demonstrated a marked cutdown in the Pgp 9.5 expression with GLA having more pronounced effect. Henceforth, it can be concluded that ALA and GLA can impart favorable protection against the VPA-induced autism-like features with GLA having pronounced effect.