Western blot analysis of the protein-level expression of Beclin-1 and the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. (A) Beclin-1 expression levels in the DHA and EPA groups were significantly increased compared with the control group (**P<0.01 vs. control). (B) Compared with the control group, the expression levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR in the DHA and EPA groups were significantly increased (*P<0.05 vs. control), suggesting the activity of Akt and its downstream target mTOR. The administration of 3-MA to the groups treated with ω-PUFAs significantly decreased the p-Akt and p-mTOR levels compared with the administration of ω-PUFAs alone (*P<0.05 vs. control). Total Akt and mTOR levels were decreased in the group treated with ω-PUFAs alone compared with the groups also administered with 3-MA. DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; ω-PUFAs, ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; 3-MA, 3-methyladenine; mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; p-mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR; p-Akt, phosphorylated Akt.