Studies have consistently reported the participation of oxidative stress in
bipolar disorder (BD). Evidences indicate that omega-3 (ω3)
fatty acids play several important roles in brain development and functioning. Moreover, preclinical and clinical evidence suggests roles for ω3
fatty acids in BD. Considering these evidences, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ω3
fatty acids on locomotor behavior and oxidative stress parameters (
TBARS and
protein carbonyl content) in brain of rats subjected to an animal model of
mania induced by
fenproporex. The
fenproporex treatment increased locomotor behavior in saline-treated rats under reversion and prevention model, and ω3
fatty acids prevented
fenproporex-related hyperactivity. Moreover,
fenproporex increased
protein carbonyls in the prefrontal cortex and cerebral cortex, and the administration of ω3
fatty acids reversed this effect. Lipid peroxidation products also are increased in prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus and cerebral after
fenproporex administration, but ω3
fatty acids reversed this damage only in the hippocampus. On the other hand, in the prevention model,
fenproporex increased carbonyl content only in the cerebral cortex, and administration of ω3
fatty acids prevented this damage. Additionally, the administration of
fenproporex resulted in a marked increased of
TBARS in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex, and prevent this damage in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. In conclusion, we are able to demonstrate that
fenproporex-induced hyperlocomotion and damage through oxidative stress were prevented by ω3
fatty acids. Thus, the ω3
fatty acids may be important adjuvant
therapy of
bipolar disorder.