Key Findings
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether maternal consumption of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation has an effect on the blood pressure and aorta elastic fibre of adult female offspring from diabetic Wistar rat. Maternal hyperglycaemia led to cardiac hypertrophy. Flaxseed oil was able to reverse this effect. In uetero exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia led to high blood pressure, whereas maternal use of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation avoided this negative effect in the adult offspring. Flaxseed oil consumption increased the elastin percentage. Maternal consumption of flaxseed oil may be a feasible therapeutic option due to its beneficial effect in reducing the effects of gestational diabetes.
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether maternal use of flaxseed oil has effects on blood pressure and aorta elastic fibre in female offspring of diabetic mothers. Methods: Diabetes was induced into the rats by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. After diabetes confirmation, rats were mated, and after pregnancy was confirmed, they were allocated into three groups: control group; high-fat group; and flaxseed oil group. At weaning, female offspring received standard chow diet and were euthanized at 100 days of life. The following blood pressure and the percentage of the aortic elastic fibre were analyzed. Results: HFG showed higher blood pressure, and the use of flaxseed oil avoided this condition in FOG and increased the percentage of the aortic elastic fibre. Conclusions: Flaxseed oil reduced the damage caused by maternal hyperglycemia, promoting normal blood pressure and elasticity of the aorta in female offspring.
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