Maternal Fish Oil Intake and Early Childhood Allergic Rhinitis: cohort associations supported by a mouse model

Abstract

Maternal fish oil (FO) intake during pregnancy may reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis (AR) in offspring. This study integrated a human birth cohort (n = 804) and a mouse model to explore this relationship and underlying mechanisms. Maternal FO intake during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of AR symptoms (OR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.82-0.97, p = 0.01) and of physician-diagnosed AR or symptoms combined (OR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.83-0.99, p = 0.03). Gut microbiota profiling revealed increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. In mice, maternal FO intake suppressed House Dust Mite (HDM)-induced nasal inflammation, reduced IgE levels, and promoted expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta. FO also reshaped gut microbial composition, suggesting an immunomodulatory role mediated via the microbiota. These findings indicate that maternal FO consumption may enhance immune tolerance and prevent early childhood AR.