Supplementation of maternal omega-3 fatty acids to pregnancy induced hypertension Wistar rats improves IL10 and VEGF levels

• PIH induction reduced interleukin-10 (IL-10) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels
• Individual folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation to PIH induced dams did not improve IL-10 and VEGF levels
• It was the individual omega 3 fatty acid and combined micronutrient supplementation to PIH induced dams which improved placental IL10 and VEGF levels

ObjectivesOur recent study demonstrates the beneficial effect of a combined supplementation of vitamin B12, folic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid in reducing the severity of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It is also known to be associated with angiogenic imbalance and inflammation. The current study examines whether the individual/combined supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid during pregnancy can ameliorate the inflammatory markers and restore the angiogenic balance in a rat model of PIH.Materials and methodsThere were total of six groups, control and five treatment groups: PIH Induced; PIH+vitamin B12; PIH+folic acid; PIH+Omega-3 fatty acids and PIH+combined micronutrient supplementation (vitamin B12+folic acid+omega-3 fatty acids). Hypertension during pregnancy was induced using L- Nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME; 50 mg/kg body weight/day). Dams were dissected at d20 of gestation and placental tissues were collected for further analysis.ResultsAnimals from the PIH induced group demonstrated lower (p<0.01 for both) IL-10 and VEGF levels as compared to control. However, PIH induction did not alter the protein levels of eNOS, IL-6, Flt and mRNA levels of VEGF and VEGFR-1/ Flt-1. Individual micronutrient supplementation of vitamin B12 and folate did not offer benefit. In contrast individual omega-3 fatty acid as well as combined micronutrient supplementation showed IL-10 and VEGF levels comparable to that of control.ConclusionOmega 3 fatty acid supplementation plays a key role in reducing inflammation in pregnancy induced hypertension.