In this work we show the protective effect of folic acid on oxidative stress in offspring caused by chronic maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy and the lactation period. Animals were randomized into three groups: control group (CG) received only water and rat basal diet (2 p.p.m. folic acid) during pregnancy and the lactation period; ethanol-treated rats (EG) were administered ethanol (20% v/v) during the pregnancy and the lactation period; the ethanol-folic acid group (EFG) received the folic acid supplement (8 p.p.m.) concomitantly with ethanol administration. After the lactation period, the offspring were anaesthetized and the livers were removed and weighed. The animals were killed humanely.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) specific activity was assayed in the offspring liver. The determination of SOD was performed as described by Fredovich (1985). We used the Tamhane statistical test. The results indicated that in the EG the SOD activity increased in the liver of the offspring (EG: 14.21 ± 1.3 vs. 8.86 ± 0.77 U (mg protein)^-1, P < 0.01). The specific activity of this enzyme in the offspring supplemented with folic acid remained unchanged with respect to CG (EFG: 10.3 ± 0.4 U (mg protein)^-1). However, there was a significant reduction in the enzymatic activity in the EFG with respect to EG (P < 0.05).

The results suggested that folic acid may be useful in the prevention of damage and promotion of health of ethanol-fed rat progeny.

This investigation was supported by grant PM98-0159 from the Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica (DGICYT).