LSU professor discovers novel class of lipid-mediating molecules that could prevent stroke

A Lousiana State University (LSU) professor has discovered a novel class of lipid-mediating molecules that could have the ability to protect the brain from stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases, a development he detailed in a recent Science Advances article.

Elovanoids (ELVs)—the term for the new class of dihydroxylated lipid mediators coined by lead researcher Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, and colleagues—are derived from omega-3 very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs,n-3) and act as chemical messengers released when cells are damaged or stressed.

VLC-PUFAs,n-3 aren’t new discoveries, Bazan and co-authors wrote in their paper, but until now scientists haven’t been able to fully realize their potential of acting as biochemical triggers. ELVs also have 32 to 34 carbons, leading to “likely even longer fatty acid chains,” they wrote.

Using rodent models, Bazan’s team mimicked an episode of ischemic stroke and observed the effects ELVs had on neuronal cells in the animals’ cerebral cortexes and hippocampuses. The researchers found that not only did ELVs help protect the rats’ neuronal cells, but the molecules promoted survival and reinforced stability in the cells.

Bazan and colleagues noticed ELVs were triggered for release when cells were injured or their survival threatened. ELVs were also activated when they detected inflammation or other possible roadblocks to neuronal communication within the body, they wrote in the study.

“Our findings represent a breakthrough in the understanding of how the complexity and resiliency of the brain are sustained when confronted with adversities such as stroke, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s and neuroprotection signaling needs to be activated,” Bazan said in a release from the LSU Health Sciences Center. “A key factor is how neurons communicate among themselves. These novel molecules participate in communicating messages to overall synaptic organization to ensure an accurate flow of information through neuronal circuits.

“We know how neurons make synaptic connections with other neurons, however these connections have to be malleable to change strength appropriately. Elovanoids might play a central role as synaptic organizers, especially important in conditions resulting from synaptic dysfunction such as autism or amyotropic lateral sclerosis, for which we have no therapeutic answers.”

The researchers discovered two types of ELVs in the brain, according to the study. They found that both, ELV-N32 and ELV-N34, were activated when cells were exposed to excitotoxicity or oxygen or glucose deprivation, all early symptoms of stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and more. The authors wrote that ELVs seemed to shrink the damaged area of the brain, as well as initiate healing and improve recovery.

Bazan said in the LSU release his team hopes to continue to develop knowledge of ELVs that can be used to prevent traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and stroke, among other diseases.

“Elovanoids may offer an answer,” he said.