Maternal supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients reduces cardiometabolic variables in pregnancy induced hypertension rats

AimsReports indicate that during pregnancy hypertension is known to have long term adverse effects both in the mother and offspring. However, the effect of maternal micronutrient supplementation on this association of in utero exposure and risk of non-communicable diseases in the later life remains unclear. The present study examines the effect of maternal micronutrient and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation either individual or in combination on cardiometabolic risk factors both in the mother and offspring using an animal model of hypertension.Main methodsPregnant Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups; control, PIH (Pregnancy induced hypertention) Induced, PIH + vitamin B12, PIH + folic acid, PIH + omega-3 fatty acids and PIH + combined smicronutrient supplementation (vitamin B12 + folic acid + omega-3 fatty acids). The dams and their offspring were shifted to a control diet after delivery and the offspring continued on these diets till 3 mo of age. Hypertension during pregnancy was induced using l-Nitroarginine methylester (50 mg/kg body weight/day).Key findingsOmega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy demonstrated lower levels (p < 0.05) of plasma cholesterol while a combined supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12 and omega 3 fatty acids demonstrated lower (p < 0.05) triglyceride levels as compared to PIH induced dams. PIH induction increased (p < 0.01) the triglyceride levels in the offspring at 3 mo of age and maternal supplementation of either individual or combined micronutrients demonstrated lower (p < 0.01) triglyceride levels.SignificanceOur findings have implications for planning intervention studies in women with pregnancy induced hypertension.