The influence of the polyunsaturated fatty acids on body weight and anxiolytic-like behavior in female rats

Abstract

Some studies have showed the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as a complement in weight loss diets, even though the results are hardly conclusive. Additionally, anxiety is another relevant factor that influences not only the appetite but the locomotion of the animals as well. This study evaluated the effect of a diet enriched with PUFAs in relation to body weight in an animal model of anxiety (the elevated plus maze). Female Wistar rats were allocated to one of four groups and were fed different diets for 30 days: control diet (commercial chow (Nuvilab^®); diet enriched with fish oil; diet enriched with linseed oil, and diet enriched with soybean oil. The body weight was not influenced by the kind of diet. The group that received food enriched with linseed oil remained in the open arms for longer periods when compared with the control group. This result suggests an anxiolytic-like effect in that group.

Keywords:

• Anxiety-like behavior
• Omega-3
• Female rats
• Diet
• EPM

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Marcos Vinicius Buncheidt for helping with experimental procedure. This work was supported by AFIP and CAPES. L.A. Vieira and J.C.F. Galduróz were the recipients of a fellowship from CNPQ.