title: A combined supplementation of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids across two generations improves cardiometabolic variables in rats.
abstract: Our earlier studies indicate that micronutrients (vitamin B12, folic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are interlinked in one carbon cycle. The present study examines the effects of a sustained vitamin B12 deficiency/supplementation in the presence of omega-3 fatty acids across two generations on the pregnancy outcome and cardiometabolic profile [blood pressure, plasma lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides), plasma/liver fatty acid profile and hepatic lipid metabolism] in the second generation adult Wistar rat offspring. Two generations of animals were fed the following diets: control; vitamin B12 deficient; vitamin B12 supplemented; vitamin B12 deficient diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplemented diets. Male offspring were sacrificed at 3 months of age. Vitamin B12 deficiency lowered the weight gain (p < 0.01) during pregnancy, increased systolic (p < 0.05) and diastolic (p < 0.01) blood pressure, and lowered the levels of plasma/liver DHA (p < 0.05 for both) but did not affect the lipid profile. Vitamin B12 supplementation showed weight gain, blood pressure and the fatty acid profile similar to the control. However, it increased (p < 0.05) the levels of plasma triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to the vitamin B12 deficient group lowered the weight gain although the levels of cardiometabolic variables were comparable to the control. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the presence of vitamin B12 improved the pregnancy outcome and all cardio-metabolic variables. Our study highlights the adverse effects of sustained vitamin B12 deficiency across two generations on the pregnancy outcome, fatty acid profile and blood pressure while a combined supplementation of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411043, India. srjoshi62@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khaire
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rathod
authors.forename: Karuna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Randhir
authors.forename: Anvita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.forename: Sadhana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007774:Lactation; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009929:Organ Size; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014805:Vitamin B 12