Maternal Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Autism Spectrum Etiology and Its Relation to the Gut Microbiota: What Do We Know?

Abstract

Maternal food habits and gut microbiota composition have potential effects on fetal neurodevelopment, impacting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our research aims to outline the relationship that ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the composition of maternal gut microbiota have with the possible development of ASD in offspring. We suggest that genetic factors could be related to the different conversions between unsaturated fatty acids according to sex and, mainly, the impact of the pregnancy diet on the higher or lower risk of neurological impairments. The proportion of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes is high with an increased consumption of linoleic acid (LA, n-6 PUFA), which is associated with maternal intestinal dysbiosis and consequently starts the inflammatory process, harming myelinization. In contrast, the consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3 PUFA) tends to re-establish the balance of the maternal microbiota with anti-inflammatory action. Moreover, human observational studies showed a strong correlation between the consumption of n-3 PUFA, mainly above 340 g of fish per week, with beneficial effects on infant neurodevelopment. Therefore, we suggest that the proper intake of foods rich in n-3 PUFAs and their supplementation during pregnancy until lactation has an impact on reducing the development of ASD. Controlled studies with n-3 PUFA supplementation are still necessary to verify the ideal dose and the best form of administration.

Nutrition and Gut Health: Recent Advances and Implications for Development of Functional Foods

“…Papers published in this Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences entitled “Nutrition and Gut Health” lay a framework for subsequent studies in this rapidly expanding research field. Examples include the impacts of dietary carbohydrates [ 30 , 31 , 32 ], AAs [ 33 , 34 , 35 ], lipids [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], and non-nutrient bioactive molecules [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] on the composition, metabolism, and function of the intestinal microbiota as well as the health, well-being, and immune response of humans and animals (e.g., pigs, poultry, rodents, fish, and crustaceans). In addition, these articles contributed to the emerging research for establishing the needs of aquatic animals (e.g., fish) for dietary AAs (e.g., glutamate and glycine) [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], lipids [ 45 ], and flavonoid- and phenolic-rich prebiotics [ 46 ] so as to optimize mucosal immune responses as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities.…”