RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to increase seizure threshold and to reduce seizure duration and severity in rats. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to test the anticonvulsant effects of an essential fatty acid mixture containing linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids at a 4:1 ratio (SR-3 compound), using the pentylenetetrazol seizure model in Long-Evans hooded rats. RESULTS: There were no significant effects of SR-3 on seizure latency, duration or severity (P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in the incidence of myoclonic jerks, forelimb and hindlimb clonus, forelimb and hindlimb tonus or running fits in rats that received SR-3, as compared to control rats (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Linoleic and alpha-linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids have no beneficial effects on seizure latency, duration, average severity or incidence.