[tri-med] FYI - The Role of n-3 Fatty Acids

Ok Ok I know I keep posting about this - but here is another article on long
chain fatty acids........ with the usual disclaimer..........

I am forwarding this article or URL for your information (FYI) as I believe
it may be of interest and is from a reliable source. As always, check the
information with your own doctor or health care professional before starting
or changing any treatments.

http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/226/6/498

 Experimental Biology and Medicine 226:498-506 (2001)
© 2001 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine

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MINIREVIEW

The Role of n-3 Fatty Acids in Gestation and Parturition
Kenneth G.D. Allen,1 and Mary A. Harris
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University,
FortCollins,Colorado80523

Preterm birth is the most common cause of low infant birth weight and infant
morbidity and mortality. Evidence from human and animal studies indicates
that essential fatty acids of both the n-3 and n-6 series, and their
eicosanoid metabolites, play important and modifiable roles in gestational
duration and parturition, and n-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy may be
inadequate. Prostaglandins (PG) of the 2-series are involved in parturition
and connective tissue remodeling associated with cervical maturation and
rupture of membranes. In the absence of infections, preterm birth is
characterized by lower reproductive tissue PG production and decreased
inducible cyclooxygenase expression. Women who deliver prematurely have
increased pools of n-6 fatty acid and decreased n-3 fatty acids, despite the
lower PG production. Several human pregnancy supplementation trials with n-3
fatty acids have shown a significant reduction in the incidence of premature
deliver and increased birth weight associated with increased gestational
duration. Supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids such as
docosahexaenoic acid may be useful in prolonging the duration of gestation
in some high-risk pregnancies. Evidence presented in this review is
discussed in terms of the roles of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in
gestation and parturition, mechanisms by which they may influence
gestational duration and the human trials suggesting that increased dietary
long-chain n-3 fatty acids decrease the incidence of premature delivery.


Key Words: n-3 fatty acids . gestation . preterm labor . eicosanoids


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