Beneficial effects of fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to assess the preventive effect of an eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid-concentrate fish oil on neuropathic pain development and regenerative features of sciatic nerve in rats.

METHODS

In the present study, rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and sham-operated ones received fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.36 or 0.72 g/kg per day, oral) or saline solution for 21 days, with thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia being assessed before and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury.

KEY FINDINGS: Fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (0.72 g/kg) reversed thermal hyperalgesia and significantly reduced mechanical allodynia. In addition, ω-3 treatment (0.72 g/kg) promoted the recovery of the Sciatic Functional Index as well as restored axonal density and morphology, without the formation of neuroma in the injured sciatic nerves after 21 days.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the fish oil enriched in omega-3 fatty acids administration relieves thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia effectively and also enhances the recovery process in rats with CCI of the sciatic nerve. These findings might contribute to new therapeutic approaches including omega-3 fatty acids in neuropathic pain treatment.