Omega-3 Compounds Calm Overactive Brain Immune Cells in Lab Study

This laboratory study looked at two compounds derived from omega-3 fats, DHEA (from DHA) and EPEA (from EPA), and how they affect microglia — the immune cells of the brain and spinal cord. When microglia become overactive, they are thought to contribute to ongoing nerve-related pain by releasing inflammatory signals that stress nearby neurons.

Researchers exposed microglia cells to a bacterial substance that triggers inflammation, then treated them with DHEA and EPEA, alone or together. Both compounds reduced the production of inflammatory signaling molecules and increased levels of an anti-inflammatory protein called BMP7. Fluid taken from DHEA-treated microglia (and BMP7 by itself) also reduced signs of stress in neighboring neuron cells, whereas fluid from untreated, activated microglia increased neuron stress.

The study also explored the mechanism behind these effects, finding that DHEA and EPEA worked through cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) found on the cell surface, triggering a chain of internal signaling changes inside the microglia.