Study on DHA and ARA of infants fed for 4 months (Southwest Retinal Foundation of America, 2)

Methods: From 1999 to 2, Southwest Retinal Foundation of America conducted a feeding experiment on infants for 4 months. The first group was the control group, the second group was added with .35%DHA, and the third group was added with .36%DHA and .72%ARA.

The results showed that at the 18th month, the average intelligence level of infants in the group with DHA+ARA was 7 points higher than that in the control group of the first group, and 3 points higher than that in the group with DHA only. The visual acuity of this group of infants was tested by scanning visual evoked potential (SVEP) at the age of 12 months, and the visual acuity of DHA+ARA group was also significantly higher than that of the control group.

conclusion: it is obvious from the test results of this authoritative organization that DHA and ARA must be supplemented at the same time in the critical period of fetal and infant brain development to meet the nutritional needs of brain development.

Effect of polyene fatty acids on fatty acid composition and growth of hippocampal neurons (Sun Yat-sen University Public Health Center, 22)

Methods: Hippocampal neurons of newborn rats were cultured in serum-free medium, and 4μmol/ L ARA, 4μmol/L DHA or 4μmol/L DHA with a total concentration of 1 ∶ 2 ~ 16 ∶ 1 were added to the serum-free medium of the control group respectively. Capillary gas chromatography was used to analyze the composition of fatty acids in neurons, NSE staining was used to identify neurons, and image analysis technology was used to measure the cell body size and process length of neurons.

results: when the total concentration of ARA and DHA in the culture medium is 4μmol/ L and the ratio is 1 ∶ 2 ~ 16 ∶ 1, the percentage of ARA in hippocampal neurons and the ratio of ARA/ DHA are positively correlated with the ratio of ARA and DHA in the culture medium. When the total concentration of ARA and DHA in the culture medium is 4μmo l/ L, and the ratio is 2∶1 or 4∶1, the cell body area, maximum length, maximum short diameter and average protrusion length of hippocampal neurons are significantly higher than those of the control group and other groups with single addition of 4μmol/ L ARA and 4μmol/ L DHA.

conclusion: ARA and DHA can significantly promote the growth and development of hippocampal neurons in vitro.