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The role of docosahexaenoic acid in retinal function

  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

An important role for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) within the retina is suggested by its high levels and active conservation in this tissue. Animals raised on n-3-deficient diets have large reductions in retinal DHA levels that are associated with altered retinal function as assessed by the electroretinogram (ERG). Despite two decades of research in this field, little is known about the mechanisms underlying altered retinal function in n-3-deficient animals. The focus of this review is on recent research that has sought to elucidate the role of DHA in retinal function, particularly within the rod photoreceptor outer segments where DHA is found at its highest concentration. An overview is also given of human infant studies that have examined whether a neonatal dietary supply of DHA is required for the normal development of retinal function.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

ALA:

α-linolenic acid

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

E:

cGMP phosphodiesterase

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid

ERG:

electroretinogram

IPR:

isolated probe response

IRBP:

interphotoreceptor retinal binding proteins

ISI:

interstimulus interval

LC-PUFA:

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

PE:

phosphatidylethanolamine

ROS:

rod outer segment

RPE:

retinal pigment epithelium

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Flinders Medical Centre, The Flinders University of South Australia, 5042, Bedford Park, (Adelaide), South Australia, Australia

    Brett G. Jeffrey

  2. Department of Food Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, 3000, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Harrison S. Weisinger

  3. Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 97201, Porland, Oregon

    Brett G. Jeffrey & Martha Neuringer

  4. Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 20892, Bethesda, Maryland

    Harrison S. Weisinger & Drake C. Mitchell

Authors
  1. Brett G. Jeffrey
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  2. Harrison S. Weisinger
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  3. Martha Neuringer
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  4. Drake C. Mitchell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martha Neuringer.

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Jeffrey, B.G., Weisinger, H.S., Neuringer, M. et al. The role of docosahexaenoic acid in retinal function. Lipids 36, 859–871 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0796-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0796-3

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