n -- 3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy in women with allergic disease: effects on blood pressure, and maternal and fetal lipids.
n--3 Fatty acids derived from fish oil reduce plasma triacylglycerols (triglycerides) and increase HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol); however, the effect of n--3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy, a hyperlipidaemic state, remains unknown. We took the opportunity to investigate maternal lipid levels and blood pressure during and after pregnancy, and fetal lipid levels at birth, in a study that aimed primarily to examine the effect of fish oil supplementation during pregnancy on immune function in infants born to women with allergic disease. Eighty-three pregnant women who had allergic disease, but were otherwise healthy, completed the study. They were randomly allocated to receive fish oil or olive oil capsules, taken as 4 g/day, from 20 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. Compared with olive oil, fish oil supplementation did not alter triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) or HDL-C during or after pregnancy. There was also no effect of fish oil on cord blood triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL-C or HDL-C. Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy did not alter maternal blood pressure during or after pregnancy. The effects of fish oil on lipids and blood pressure in non-pregnant individuals appear to be lost when it is administered during pregnancy.
Barden
Anne E
AE
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, GPO Box X2213, Perth, WA 6847, Australia. anne.barden@uwa.edu.au
Dunstan
Janet A
JA
Beilin
Lawrence J
LJ
Prescott
Susan L
SL
Mori
Trevor A
TA
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol