Blackcurrant seed oil, zinc, and fetal alcohol syndrome

The effects of dietary supplementation by blackcurrant seed oil (BSO) and zinc sulphate on PGI2 gastric release and on serum zinc levels were investigated in 50 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats which received watery alcohol solutions from 5% to 30% (v/v) as well as in their newborns. Blood zinc was assayed by atomic absorption spectroscopy; PGI2 was evaluated by platelet aggregation PGI2-dependent test. Dietary supplementation by BSO increased gastric release of PGI2 both in the mothers and their newborns; blood zinc levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in both vs control. The content of PGI2 in the stomachs was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the mothers treated by zinc sulphate vs their new-borns. Protection of gastric mucosa of the new-born rats from alcohol fetal exposure might depend on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) dietary supplementation, because of the capability of PUFA to cross placenta; the efficacy in the protection might be monitored by platelet aggregation PGI2-dependent test.