Effects of Vitamin E plus Omega-3 Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Pregnancy Consequences in Women with Gestational Diabetes

We are aware of no study that examined the effects of vitamin E plus omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E plus omega-3 supplementation on insulin metabolism and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 women with GDM. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU vitamin E plus 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acid supplements (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at study baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention to quantify biochemical variables.
Findings: Vitamin E plus omega-3 fatty acid supplementation led to a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (+187.5±224.9 vs. -32.5±136.1 mmol/L, p<0.001) and a significant decrease in MDA levels (-0.1±0.9 vs. +0.6±1.4 µmol/L, p=0.04) compared with placebo. Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma NO levels (+5.0±7.7 vs. -12.0±28.0 µmol/L, p=0.002) was seen after vitamin E plus omega-3 fatty acid supplementation compared with the placebo. Vitamin E plus omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in GDM women had beneficial effects on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress