title: Blackcurrant seed oil, zinc, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
abstract: The effects of dietary supplementation by blackcurrant seed oil (BSO) and zinc sulphate on PGI2 gastric release and on serum zinc levels were investigated in 50 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats which received watery alcohol solutions from 5% to 30% (v/v) as well as in their newborns. Blood zinc was assayed by atomic absorption spectroscopy; PGI2 was evaluated by platelet aggregation PGI2-dependent test. Dietary supplementation by BSO increased gastric release of PGI2 both in the mothers and their newborns; blood zinc levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in both vs control. The content of PGI2 in the stomachs was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the mothers treated by zinc sulphate vs their new-borns. Protection of gastric mucosa of the new-born rats from alcohol fetal exposure might depend on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) dietary supplementation, because of the capability of PUFA to cross placenta; the efficacy in the protection might be monitored by platelet aggregation PGI2-dependent test.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition, University of L'Aquila.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008042:Linolenic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C077230:blackcurrant seed oil; D000431:Ethanol; D019287:Zinc Sulfate