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Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids together regulate lipid metabolism in Wistar rats

Amrita Khaire1, Richa Rathod1, Anvita Kale1

  • 1Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411043, India.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids
|May 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Maternal vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for offspring lipid metabolism. Combined supplementation normalized cholesterol, triglycerides, and key metabolic genes in adult offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • Maternal nutrition significantly impacts offspring development and long-term health.
  • Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients with known roles in metabolic processes.
  • Understanding their combined effects during critical developmental windows is vital for preventing metabolic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of prenatal and postnatal vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid status on lipid metabolism in offspring.
  • To determine the effects of isolated and combined deficiencies and supplementation of these nutrients on key metabolic markers and gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • Pregnant dams were assigned to five dietary groups: Control, Vitamin B12 deficient (BD), Vitamin B12 supplemented (BS), BD with omega-3 (BDO), and BS with omega-3 (BSO).
  • Offspring were maintained on the respective maternal diets until 3 months of age.
  • Measurements included plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and liver mRNA expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism (e.g., ACC-1, CPT-1, adiponectin).

Main Results:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency in offspring led to elevated cholesterol and reduced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), ACC-1, and CPT-1 mRNA levels.
  • Omega-3 supplementation in deficient offspring normalized cholesterol but not the studied mRNA levels.
  • Vitamin B12 supplementation normalized cholesterol but increased triglycerides and decreased adiponectin, ACC-1, and CPT-1 mRNA.
  • Combined vitamin B12 and omega-3 supplementation normalized both triglyceride levels and all measured mRNA expressions.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal and postnatal nutrition significantly influences offspring lipid metabolism and gene regulation.
  • Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids act synergistically in regulating lipid metabolism genes.
  • Combined supplementation is essential for normalizing lipid profiles and metabolic gene expression in adult offspring.

Keywords:
Acetyl CoA carboxylase-1AdiponectinCarnitine palmitoyltransferase-1Omega-3 fatty acidsTriglyceridesVitamin B(12)

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