Zika virus (ZIKV) has a strong tropism for the nervous system and has been related to post-infection
neurological syndromes. Once neuronal cells are infected, the virus is capable of modulating cell
metabolism, leading to neurotoxicity and cellular death. The negative efect of ZIKV in neuron cells has
been characterized. However, the description of molecules capable of reversing these cytotoxic efects
is still under investigation. In this context, it has been largely demonstrated that docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is highly neuroprotective. Here, we hypothesized
that DHA’s neuroprotective proprieties could have an infuence on ZIKV-induced neurotoxicity in SHSY5Y cells. Our data showed that pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with DHA increased the cell viability
and proliferation in ZIKV-infected cells. Moreover, DHA triggered an anti-infammatory response in
those infected cells. Besides, DHA was capable of restoring mitochondria function and number in ZIKVinfected SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, cells pre-treated with DHA prior to ZIKV infection presented a lower
viral load at diferent times of infection. Taking together, these results demonstrated that DHA has a
potential anti-infammatory and neuroprotective efect against ZIKV infection in these neuron-like cells
and could be a useful tool in the treatment against this virus
