Lactacidemia is seen in neonates with hypoxia, hypoperfusion, and increased muscle activity (e.g. seizures, increased work of breathing). ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) has been shown to alter tissue c-AMP. Therefore, we hypothesized that the ω-3 FA enriched diet will increase liver c-AMP resulting in increased liver gluconeogenesis, increased lactate utilization, and decrease exercise induced lactacidemia in the newborn rat.Methods: Sprague-Dawley dams were fed with ω-3 or ω-6 fatty acid enriched diet from 18 days of gestation until 10 days after parturition. 4 hour fasted 10 day old rats (26-36 grams, n = 8 - 13) swam in water for 5 min. Blood was collected for plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, glucagon. Liver was collected for c-AMP. According to diet and exercise, animals were divided in 4 groups as follows: ω-3 no exercise, ω-3 exercise, ω-6 no exercise, ω-6 exercise. Results: After exercise, ω-3 group had lower plasma lactate, greater net increase in plasma glucose, and higher cytosolic liver c-AMP concentration when compared to ω-6 group. There was no difference in plasma insulin and glucagon between corresponding ω-3 and ω-6 groups. Conclusion: Decreased lactacidemia and greater net increase in plasma glucose in newborn rat from dams fed with ω-3 FA enriched diet may be due to greater increase in cyclic AMP induced liver gluconeogenesis.Table

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