The supplementation of a high dose of fish oil during pregnancy and lactation led to an elevation in Mfsd2a expression without any changes in docosahexaenoic acid levels in the retina of healthy 2-month-old mouse offspring.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to understand the effects of high-dose fish oil (FO) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on retinal and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) homeostasis in healthy offspring.
Results Summary
The study found that high-dose FO supplementation maintained balanced DHA homeostasis in the retina and RPE of offspring and increased expression of Mfsd2a, a key DHA transporter and regulator of transcytosis, which may protect against blood-retinal barrier impairment.
Population
Pregnant women and their healthy offspring.
Effective Dosage
High-dose fish oil (specific amount not stated).
Duration
Pregnancy and lactation period.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
maternal supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids | neutral | proper development of neural and visual systems | fetus during fetal development | - | relies on | #1 |
augmenting diet with additional sources of omega-3, such as fish oil (FO) | decrease | preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, and perinatal depression | pregnant women | - | has been linked to a reduced risk of | #2 |
high-dose fish oil (FO) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation | no change | rigorous DHA homeostasis in the retina and RPE | two-month-old offspring | - | remained balanced | #3 |
high-dose FO treatment during pregnancy and lactation | increase | major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein (Mfsd2a) | offspring | - | increase in the expression levels of | #4 |
reduction in Mfsd2a levels | increase | leaky blood vessels | - | - | poses a major risk for the development of | #5 |
INTRODUCTION: During fetal development, the proper development of neural and visual systems relies on the maternal supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids through placental transfer. Pregnant women are strongly advised to augment their diet with additional sources of omega-3, such as fish oil (FO). This supplementation has been linked to a reduced risk of preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, and perinatal depression. Recently, higher doses of omega-3 supplementation have been recommended for pregnant women. Considering that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate homeostasis required for the proper functioning of the retina and photoreceptors the effects of high-dose fish oil (FO) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in healthy offspring warrant better understanding. METHODS: The fatty acid content and the changes in the expression of the genes regulating cholesterol homeostasis and DHA transport in the retina and RPE were evaluated following the high-dose FO supplementation. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that despite the high-dose FO treatment during pregnancy and lactation, the rigorous DHA homeostasis in the retina and RPE of the two-month-old offspring remained balanced. Another significant finding of this study is the increase in the expression levels of major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein (Mfsd2a), a primary DHA transporter. Mfsd2a also serves as a major regulator of transcytosis during development, and a reduction in Mfsd2a levels poses a major risk for the development of leaky blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Impairment of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) is associated with the development of numerous ocular diseases, and a better understanding of how to manipulate transcytosis in the BRB during development can enhance drug delivery through the BRB or contribute to the repair of central nervous system (CNS) barriers.