Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance cytokine production and oxidative stress in a mouse model of preterm labor

Abstract

AbstractOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy remains controversial. We sought to examine the effects of ω-3 PUFA on inflammation and oxidative stressFemale Swiss Webster mice were fed a normal diet or a 5% fish oil (FO) diet for 3 weeks then mated with normal-fed males. On gestational day 15, dams were injected with either saline (n=10 per group) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, intrauterine) (n=10 per group). Maternal plasma, amniotic fluid, placentas, and uteri were collected 4 h later and assessed for cytokines; maternal plasma and amniotic fluids were analyzed for oxidative stress.. Administration of the 5% FO diet enhanced LPS-induced cytokines in the placenta (P<0.05–0.01) and increased tumor necrosis factor-α in the uterus (P<0.05) and amniotic fluid (P<0.01) when compared to LPS-treated normal-fed animals. Maternal plasma obtained from FO-fed dams showed higher LPS-induced oxidative stress than control-fed animals (P<0.035). However, no differences in oxidative stress were observed in the amniotic fluid.Supplementation with FO for prior to and during pregnancy significantly increased LPS-induced inflammation in the amniotic fluid, uterus, and placenta and significantly increased maternal systemic oxidative stress