Maternal dietary DHA and EPA supplementation ameliorates adverse cardiac outcomes in THC-exposed rat offspring.
Scientific reports – March 10, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Maternal cannabis use during pregnancy can lead to low birthweight and heart issues in offspring. However, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids significantly improves these outcomes. This study shows that these nutrients help counteract THC's negative effects on fetal growth and cardiac health by influencing the endocannabinoid system positively.
Abstract
Cannabis use in pregnancy is associated with low birthweight outcomes. Recent preclinical data suggests that maternal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure leads to decreases in birthweight followed by early cardiac deficits in offspring. Currently, no studies have explored an intervention for these maternal THC-induced deficits. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to exhibit cardioprotective effects. In this present study, we demonstrated that maternal dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids ameliorates both THC-induced fetal growth and postnatal cardiac deficits in offspring. Our data indicates this may be underpinned by alterations in cardiac and hepatic fatty acids and reduction in markers of cardiac collagen deposition. Interestingly, the cardioprotective effects of omega-3s may be further underscored by decreased signaling of the cardiac endocannabinoid system. With increasing rates of cannabis use in pregnancy and recent evidence of subsequent cardiometabolic aberrations in offspring, our data suggests a potential intervention for THC-induced fetal growth and cardiac disturbances in offspring.