title: A combined supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B12) reduces oxidative stress markers in a rat model of pregnancy induced hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our earlier studies have highlighted that an altered one carbon metabolism (vitamin B12, folic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) is associated with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is also known to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. The current study examines whether maternal folic acid, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation given either individually or in combination can ameliorate the oxidative stress markers in a rat model of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to control and five treatment groups: PIH; PIH + vitamin B12; PIH + folic acid; PIH + Omega-3 fatty acids and PIH + combined micronutrient supplementation (vitamin B12 + folic acid + omega-3 fatty acids). L-Nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME; 50 mg/kg body weight/day) was used to induce hypertension during pregnancy. Blood Pressure (BP) was recorded during pregnancy and dams were dissected at d20 of gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals from the PIH group demonstrated higher (p<0.01 for both) systolic and diastolic BP; lower (p<0.01) pup weight; higher dam plasma homocysteine (p<0.05) and dam and offspring malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.01), lower (p<0.05) placental and offspring liver DHA and higher (p<0.01) tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ά) levels as compared to control. Individual micronutrient supplementation did not offer much benefit. In contrast, combined supplementation lowered systolic BP, homocysteine, MDA and placental TNF-ά levels in dams and liver MDA and protein carbonyl in the offspring as compared to PIH group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Key constituents of one carbon cycle (folic acid, vitamin B12 and DHA) may play a role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Nisha G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kemse
authors.affiliation: Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Anvita A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Sadhana R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014815:Vitamins; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12