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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Maternal PUFA ω-3 Supplementation Prevents Neonatal Lung Injuries Induced by Hyperoxia in Newborn Rats
Dyuti Sharma1,2, Armande Subayi Nkembi3, Estelle Aubry4,5
1EA 4489 Environnement Périnatal et Santé, Pôle Recherche Faculté de Médecine, Université Lille Nord de France, Lille 59045, France. dyuti.sharma@chru-lille.fr.
Insights
Maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 (PUFA ω-3) supplementation protected newborn rats from hyperoxia-induced lung injury. This suggests PUFA ω-3 may prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Nutritional science
- Pulmonary medicine
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication of prematurity.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 (PUFA ω-3) may offer protective benefits during pregnancy and the perinatal period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation on lung injury in newborn rats exposed to hyperoxia.
- To assess the impact on alveolarization and pulmonary vascular development.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant Wistar rats were fed control, PUFA ω-6, or PUFA ω-3 diets.
- Newborn rats were exposed to hyperoxia (O₂) or ambient air (Air) for 10 days.
- Lung tissues were analyzed for alveolarization and vascular wall thickness.
Main Results:
- Hyperoxia reduced alveolarization and increased pulmonary vascular wall thickness in control and PUFA ω-6 groups.
- Maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation mitigated hyperoxia-induced alveolar damage.
- PUFA ω-3 supplementation did not significantly alter lung vascular wall thickness.
Conclusions:
- Maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation demonstrates a protective effect against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in newborn rats.
- This suggests potential clinical applications for preventing BPD in premature infants through maternal PUFA ω-3 intake during pregnancy and lactation.
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.
