Abstract

Background: The efficacy of evening primrose oil has been reported in metabolic syndrome and other diseases.The role of vitamin D has been proposed in the risk reducing of chronic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes too. We are aware of no study that examined the effects of evening primrose oil and vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles in gestational diabetes (GDM). This study was designed to assess the effects of evening primrose oil and vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles among pregnant women with GDM.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 women with GDM. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either evening primrose oil and vitamin D 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.

Results: Evening primrose oil and vitamin D supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP ) levels (change from baseline: -1.9±4.0 vs. +0.6±2.6 µg/mL, p=0.006) and MDA (-0.8±2.1 vs. +0.6±1.5 µmol/L,p=0.005) compared with placebo. Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma NO (+2.5±3.8 vs. -1.9±8.1 µmol/L, p=0.009) and TAC levels (+84.4±174.8 vs. -36.4±143.1 mmol/L, p=0.005) was seen after evening primrose oil and vitamin D supplementation compared with placebo.

Conclusion: Evening primrose oil and vitamin D supplementation in GDM women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.