Docosahexaenoic acid modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor via GPR40 in the brain and alleviates diabesity-associated learning and memory deficits in mice

GPR40 (Free fatty acid receptor 1) has emerged as an important therapeutic target for diabetes. Several studies have demonstrated the association of comorbid psychiatric conditions with decreased n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may act as an agonist for GPR40. In this study, we for the first time provide evidence of reduced GPR40 signaling in the hippocampus and cortex which may be a critical underlying mechanism mediating cognitive deficits in diabesity (diabetes and obesity together). Specifically, we showed decreased GPR40 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the brain regions of high-fat-diet-induced obese and db/db mice. Next, we demonstrated that chronic treatment with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or the synthetic GPR40 agonist, GW9508, significantly alleviates cognitive functions in mice, which correlates with increased BDNF expression in the hippocampus. This supports the hypothesis that DHA improves cognitive function in diabesity via GPR40 agonism. We also showed that DHA specifically activates GPR40 and modulates BDNF expression in primary cortical neurons mediated by the extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) and P38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Finally, the central nervous system (CNS)-specific blockade of GPR40 signaling abrogated the memory potentiating effects of DHA, and induction of BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Thus, we provided evidence that DHA stimulation of GPR40 mediate some of DHA's beneficial effects in metabolic syndrome and identify GPR40 as a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of CNS-related comorbidities associated with diabesity.