The effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes

Background: This study was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids cosupplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes (GDM) patients. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 120 GDM women. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive: 1) 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) twice a day + vitamin D placebo (n = 30); 2) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30); 3) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids twice a day (n = 30) and 4) vitamin D placebo + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Results: Subjects who received vitamin D plus omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo had significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-2.0 +/- 3.3 vs. -0.8 +/- 4.4, -1.3 +/- 2.4 and + 0.9 +/- 2.7 mg/L, respectively, P = 0.008), malondialdehyde (-0.5 +/- 0.5 vs. -0.2 +/- 0.5, -0.3 +/- 0.9 and + 0.5 +/- 1.4 mu mol/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and increased total antioxidant capacity (+ 92.1 +/- 70.1 vs. + 55.1 +/- 123.6, + 88.4 +/- 95.2 and + 1.0 +/- 90. 8 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) and glutathione (+ 95.7 +/- 86.7 vs. + 23.0 +/- 62.3, + 30.0 +/- 66.5 and -7.8 +/- 126.5 mu mol/L, respectively, P = 0.001). In addition, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation, compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo, resulted in lower incidences of newborns' hyperbilirubinemiain (P = 0.037) and newborns' hospitalization (P = 0.037). Conclusion: Overall, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on some biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes.