Dietary Manipulation of Prostanoid Synthesis and Prevention of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorders: A Review

Abstract

Prostanoid synthesis can be influenced by dietary supplementation of essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) precursors. Results of observational and experimental studies in nonpregnant humans suggest that a diet rich in marine fish or supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or PUFAs in various plant oils may cause a shift in prostanoid synthesis resulting in increased vasodilatation and reduced platelet activity. Based on these observations dietary supplementation with various PUFAs, including EPA, has been investigated on a small scale as an approach to prevent adaptational disorders in pregnancy. As yet these studies have provided no evidence to recommend the clinical use of fish oil or evening primrose preparations to prevent or treat pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders and fetal growth retardation.