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Originally published In Press as doi:10.1167/iovs.08-1735 on May 9, 2008
 (Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2008;49:3586-3594.)
© 2008 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
DOI:  10.1167/iovs.08-1735
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Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Ganglion Cell Function

Christine T. O. Nguyen, Algis J. Vingrys, and Bang V. Bui

From the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

PURPOSE. Diet-induced deficiencies in Omega-3 ({omega}-3) fatty acids are well known to alter photoreceptor function. In this study, the broader functional changes in a diversity of retinal neurons were considered.

METHODS. Sprague-Dawley dams were fed either {omega}-3-sufficient ({omega}-3+, n = 21) or -deficient ({omega}-3–, n = 19) diets 5 weeks before conception, with the pups continued on the mothers’ diet. After 20 weeks of age, electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded by using protocols that isolate separate cellular generators, including; photoreceptors (PIII), ON-bipolar cells (PII), and ganglion/amacrine cells (STR). At the brightest energies, rod and cone responses were isolated with a paired-flash paradigm. Retinal tissue ({omega}-3+, n = 5; {omega}-3–, n = 5) was harvested at 23 weeks of age for fatty acid assays with thin layer and gas liquid chromatography.

RESULTS. Omega-3 deficiency caused a 48.6% decrease in total retinal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This change induced significant amplitude decreases only in the rod PII (–8.2%) and positive (p)STR components (–27.4%), with widespread delays in all signals (PIII 5.7%, PII 13.6%, pSTR 7.6%, and negative [n]STR 8.3%). Omega-3 deficiency exerted its greatest effects on signals originating in the inner retina (pSTR).

CONCLUSIONS. Increasing dietary {omega}-3 has beneficial effects across the retina, with the greatest improvement occurring in ganglion cell function.






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