Maternal PUFA ω-3 Supplementation Prevents Neonatal Lung Injuries Induced by Hyperoxia in Newborn Rats

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common complications of prematurity, occurring in 30% of very low birth weight infants. The benefits of dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 (PUFA ω-3) during pregnancy or the perinatal period have been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation on lung injuries in newborn rats exposed to prolonged hyperoxia. Pregnant female Wistar rats (n = 14) were fed a control diet (n = 2), a PUFA ω-6 diet (n = 6), or a PUFA ω-3 diet (n = 6), starting with the 14th gestation day. At Day 1, female and newborn rats (10 per female) were exposed to hyperoxia (O2, n = 70) or to the ambient air (Air, n = 70). Six groups of newborns rats were obtained: PUFA ω-6/O2 (n = 30), PUFA ω-6/air (n = 30), PUFA ω-3/O2 (n = 30), PUFA ω-3/air (n = 30), control/O2 (n = 10), and control/air (n = 10). After 10 days, lungs were removed for analysis of alveolarization and pulmonary vascular development. Survival rate was 100%. Hyperoxia reduced alveolarization and increased pulmonary vascular wall thickness in both control (n = 20) and PUFA ω-6 groups (n = 60). Maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation prevented the decrease in alveolarization caused by hyperoxia (n = 30) compared to PUFA ω-6/O2 (n = 30) or to the control/O2 (n = 10), but did not significantly increase the thickness of the lung vascular wall. Therefore, maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation may protect newborn rats from lung injuries induced by hyperoxia. In clinical settings, maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation during pregnancy and during lactation may prevent BPD development after premature birth.

Postnatal growth restriction augments oxygen-induced pulmonary hypertension in a neonatal rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

“…While exposure to 75% oxygen from birth did not decrease body weight at day 14, it did decrease body weight by an additional 11% in growth-restricted pups. Other investigators have shown that exposure to more extreme hyperoxia decreases body weight (18,19). Our data suggest BPD could arise from oxygenmediated lung injury in combination with effects arising from oxygen-mediated growth restriction.…”

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: corrections and comments by a gynecologist

“…On this regard, several clinical studies showed that the maternal supplementation of vitamin A, which exerts antioxidant activity, during the late phase of pregnancy is effective in decreasing BPD incidence in newborn infants. 3 Moreover, in line with these findings, Sharma et al 4 found in the rat model that the maternal supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids u-3 significantly decreases the neonatal onset of BPD, especially protecting the reduction of alveolarization caused by the hyperoxia-induced oxidative damage.…”

Plasma Lipoprotein Particle Subclasses in Preterm Infants

“…50 The impact of maternal lipoproteins in utero is demonstrated by correlations between maternal lipoproteins and cord blood lipoproteins and decreased cord blood total HDL and LDL concentrations in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome 51 and also by a recent animal study wherein supplementation of the maternal diet with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy decreased neonatal lung injury. 52 Diet affects lipoprotein concentrations in preterm infants. Increased apoprotein A1 and HDL concentrations have been demonstrated in enterally fed preterm infants and preterm infants on TPN with early enteral feedings versus infants receiving TPN alone.…”