Research from Queen Mary, University of London suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, have the potential to protect nerves from injury and help them to regenerate.
When nerves are damaged because of an accident or injury, patients experience pain, weakness and muscle paralysis which can leave them disabled, and recovery rates are poor.
The study, published in Janurary, 2012 in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could play a significant role in speeding recovery from nerve injury.
The study focused on peripheral nerve cells. Peripheral nerves are the nerves which transmit signals between the brain and spinal cord, and the rest of the body.
These nerves have the ability to regenerate but, despite advances in surgical techniques, patients usually only have good recovery when their injury is minor.
Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the body’s normal growth and development and have been widely researched for their health benefits. Because the body cannot manufacture omega-3 fatty acids, they have to be consumed in foods such as oily fish.
In the new study, researchers first looked at isolated mouse nerve cells. They simulated the type of damage caused by accident or injury, by either stretching the cells or starving them of oxygen. Both types of damage killed a significant number of nerve cells but enrichment with omega-3 fatty acids in cells gave them significant protection and decreased cell death.
Next the researchers studied the sciatic nerves of mice. They found that a high level of omega-3 fatty acids helped mice to recover from sciatic nerve injury more quickly and more fully, and that their muscles were less likely to waste following nerve damage.
The research was carried out by a group led by Adina Michael-Titus, Professor of Neuroscience at Barts and The London Medical School and lead of the Neurotrauma and Neurodegeneration group in the Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Queen Mary, University of London.
She explained: “Our previous research has shown that these fatty acids could have beneficial effects in a number of neurological conditions. This new study suggests that they could also have a role in treating peripheral nerve injuries.
“More work is needed but our research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids can protect damaged nerve cells, which is a critical first step in a successful neurological recovery.”
Reprinted with kind permission from Queen Mary, University of London
Utafiti wa Chuo Kikuu cha Queen Mary London unaonyesha kwamba asidi za mafuta za omega-3 zinazopatikana katika mafuta ya samaki zinaweza kulinda neva dhidi ya majeraha na kusaidia kuziboresha. Wakati neva zinapoathiriwa kutokana na ajali au jeraha, wagonjwa hupata maumivu, udhaifu na kupooza kwa misuli ambayo inaweza kuwaacha walemavu, na viwango vya kupona ni duni. Utafiti huo uliochapishwa katika jarida la Journal of Neuroscience, unaonyesha kwamba asidi za mafuta za omega-3 zinaweza kuwa na jukumu muhimu katika kuharakisha kupona kutokana na majeraha ya neva. Utafiti huo ulikazia chembe za neva za pembeni. Mishipa ya neva ya pembeni ni mishipa ya neva inayopitisha ishara kati ya ubongo na uti wa mgongo, na sehemu nyingine za mwili. Mishipa hiyo ya neva inaweza kujirekebisha, lakini licha ya maendeleo ya kitiba, wagonjwa hupona vizuri tu wanapokuwa na majeraha madogo. Omega-3 fatty acids ni muhimu kwa ukuaji wa kawaida wa mwili na maendeleo na wamekuwa sana kuchunguzwa kwa faida zao za afya. Kwa sababu mwili hauwezi kutengeneza asidi za mafuta za omega-3 kwa njia ya chakula, lazima ziwe katika chakula kama vile samaki wenye mafuta. Katika utafiti huo mpya, watafiti kwanza walichunguza chembe za neva za panya zilizotengwa. Walitumia mbinu hiyo kuiga aina ya uharibifu unaosababishwa na aksidenti au jeraha, kwa kupanua chembe au kuzipoteza oksijeni. Aina zote mbili za uharibifu ziliua idadi kubwa ya seli za neva, lakini utajiri wa asidi ya mafuta ya omega-3 katika seli iliwapa ulinzi mkubwa na kupunguza kifo cha seli. Baadaye watafiti walichunguza neva za sciatic za panya. Kwa mfano, viwango vya juu vya omega-3 vinaweza kusaidia panya kupona haraka na kikamilifu kutokana na majeraha ya neva ya sciatic, na misuli yao haipotezi nguvu baada ya kuharibiwa na neva. Utafiti huo ulifanywa na Adina Michael-Titus, profesa wa sayansi ya neva katika Barts na Chuo Kikuu cha Tiba cha London na kiongozi wa kikundi cha Neurotrauma na Neurodegeneration katika Kituo cha Neuroscience na Trauma, Queen Mary, Chuo Kikuu cha London. Alieleza hivi: <unk>Utafiti wetu wa awali umeonyesha kwamba asidi hizi za mafuta zinaweza kuwa na athari nzuri katika hali kadhaa za neva. Utafiti huu mpya unaonyesha kwamba wanaweza pia kuwa na fungu katika kutibu majeraha ya neva za nje. """Tunafanya kazi zaidi, lakini utafiti wetu unaonyesha kwamba asidi za mafuta za omega-3 zinaweza kulinda seli za neva zilizoharibiwa, ambayo ni hatua muhimu ya kwanza katika uponyaji wa neva uliofanikiwa,"" alisema."