α-linolenic acid-rich diet boosts docosahexaenoic acid levels and restores lipid balance in the brain parenchyma and vasculature of APOE4 mice

The APOE4 allele significantly increases Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk, often linked to brain lipid imbalance. This study investigated lipid profiles in the brain parenchyma and brain blood vessels (BBV) of APOE3 and APOE4-humanized female mice, assessing the protective effects of an alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-rich diet on lipid composition and memory in APOE4 mice. Mice received either a Control or an ALA-rich flaxseed oil diet for six months. Lipid profiles were analyzed in brain parenchyma, BBV, plasma, and liver, alongside memory performance. In vitro studies explored human brain endothelial cell conversion of ALA to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). APOE4 mice, compared to APOE3 controls, exhibited significant lipid depletion in brain parenchyma, including reduced cholesterol (32%), phospholipids (10%), and DHA (57%). The ALA-rich diet beneficially restored lipid levels in APOE4 brain parenchyma, increased DHA-containing phospholipids, and improved memory. This diet also elevated n-3 fatty acids and DHA within the BBV, particularly in APOE4 phosphatidylserine, and upregulated lipid-related genes (PLA2, LDLR). In vitro data confirmed brain endothelial cells synthesize DHA via the ∆6 desaturase pathway, a process suppressed by desaturase inhibitors or external DHA. Collectively, these findings suggest the BBV acts as a crucial hub for lipid homeostasis. An ALA-rich diet effectively mitigates lipid imbalance in APOE4 mice by promoting lipid unsaturation, enhancing DHA synthesis and its incorporation into complex lipids, thereby improving cognitive performance. This research positions dietary ALA as a promising nutritional intervention for APOE4 carriers.