Background
The incidence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still high among pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. This study explored the therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) on GDM at the cellular and animal levels.
Methods
THP1 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to induce M0 macrophage. The transformation of M0 macrophages into M2 macrophages was observed after ω-3 FAs treatment. Then, macrophages induced by ω-3 FAs were co-cultured with hepatocytes HepG2, and the glycolipid metabolism in hepatocytes was assessed. By establishing a GDM mouse model, the impact of ω-3 FAs on liver function in GDM pregnant mice and offspring was evaluated.
Results
At the cellular level, we found that ω-3 FAs can promote the transformation of M0 macrophages into anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, and the transformed M2 macrophages can prevent excessive accumulation of lipid droplet in hepatocyte cell line HepG2, by promoting β-oxidation and reducing lipid synthesis of hepatocyte, thereby protecting hepatic function. Supplementation of ω-3 FAs in pregnant GDM mice significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, GTT and ITT indexes, and lipid accumulation in the liver, and effectively prevented liver fibrosis. ω-3 FAs also had positive effects on the offspring of GDM pregnant mice, demonstrated by reducing birth mortality and improving glycemic stabilization.
Conclusion
This study suggests that ω-3 FAs prevent GDM via modulating lipid metabolism and may provide a strategy for translational medicine that can treat GDM and offspring.