Determination of Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio in Swine Brain Homogenate as an Animal Model for Human Nervous Tissue

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the omega-3/omega-6 ratio in swine brain homogenate by HPLC with UV detection and to discuss the values obtained by comparison to the human species. Materials and methods: Determinations were performed by HPLC method using as mobile phase an isocratic mixture (A:B – 5:95) of mobile phase A = 25% acetonitrile in water and B = acetonitrile with a flow-rate of 1.2 mL/min and UV detection at 205nm. Chromatographic column: Phenomenex C8 150×4.6 mm 5μm. 50 g swine brain was hydrolyzed with 100 mL 0.5N HCl, the organic phase was extracted in 50 mL hexane, concentrated by evaporation and resumed in 200 μL acetonitrile. Results: Polyunsaturated fatty acids were separated as follows arachidonic acid (AA) – Rt = 2.69 min, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – Rt = 3.12 min and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) – Rt = 3.97 min. The following omega-3/omega-6 ratios were calculated (DHA + EPA)/AA = 0.572 ± 0.451, EPA/AA = 0.027 ± 0.015 and DHA/AA = 0.689 ± 0.612. Conclusions: The values obtained for these ratios should be balanced, but in reality they are in favor of the ratio denominator. Considering the physiological and nutritional similarities and that an accurate diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease is set in post-mortem, swine brain homogenate could serve as an animal model for human nervous tissue.