Original Paper

Postnatal Dietary Fat Influences mRNAS Involved in Myelination
James W. DeWille, Steven J. Farmer

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Dev Neurosci 1992;14:61-68 (DOI: 10.1159/000111648)

  Key Words

• Apolipoprotein E
• Dietary fat
• LDL receptor
• Liver
• mRNA
• Myelin basic protein
• Proteolipid protein
• Stearoyl CoA desaturase

  Abstract

The synthesis and composition of myelin in the developing mouse central nervous system can be influenced by diet. Postnatal maternal fat intake altered nursing pup brain and liver fatty acid composition. Peak (day 21) proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNA levels were reduced when pups were nursed by mothers fed a fat-free or 5% coconut oil diet. This effect was reversed by feeding a corn oil based diet. Oleic acid accounts for about 30% of myelin fatty acids. mRNA levels of stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD), the rate-limiting step in oleic acid synthesis, increase in neonatal mouse brain. Postnatal maternal fat-free feeding reduced day 21 pup brain SCD and LDL receptor, but not apolipoprotein (Apo E) E mRNA levels. In contrast to brain, nursing pup hepatic SCD mRNA levels were induced, LDL receptor mRNA levels were unaffected and Apo E mRNA levels were reduced by postnatal maternal fat-free feeding. Myelin-specific mRNA levels are developmentally regulated and influenced by dietary fat. Neonatal brain SCD and LDL receptor mRNA levels are also altered by neonatal fat intake. The neonatal response to dietary fat is tissue-specific at the mRNA level.

Copyright © 1992 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

James W. DeWille, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 (USA)

  Article Information

Received: May 6, 1991
Accepted: June 13, 1991
Number of Print Pages : 8