A combination of flaxseed oil and astaxanthin alleviates atherosclerosis risk factors in high fat diet fed rats

Jiqu Xu,Qingde Huang,Qianchun Deng,Chang Chen,Li Zhang,Hui Gao,Fenghong Huang,Wei Yang

doi:10.1186/1476-511x-13-63

Abstract

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is the most common pathologic process underlying cardiovascular disease. Both flaxseed oil (FO) and astaxanthin (ASX) are believed to benefit cardiovascular system. The combined effect of FO and ASX on the atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet was investigated.MethodsAstaxanthin was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 1g/kg (FO + ASX). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a rodent diet contained 20% fat whose source was lard (HFD) or 75% lard and 25% FO + ASX (50 mg ASX/kg diet) or 50% lard and 50% FO + ASX (100 mg ASX/kg diet) or FO + ASX (200 mg ASX/kg diet) for 10 weeks.ResultsThe combination of FO and ASX significantly increased the antioxidant defense capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation in plasma. Evident decreases in the levels TG, TC and LDL-C contents, as well as IL-6 and CRP were also observed in plasma of FO and ASX fed rats.ConclusionThe combination of FO and ASX can improve oxidative stress, lipid abnormalities and inflammation, providing evidence that the combination of FO and ASX could be a promising functional food in cardiovascular health promotion.

Highlights

Nowadays, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most developed as well as many developing countries [1,2] and contributes substantially to healthcare budgets
As an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that cannot be synthesized by human being, ALA serves as a precursor for longchain n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
On the other hand, since ALA is highly susceptible to oxidation, flaxseed oil (FO) addition leads to a significantly higher tendency toward plasma lipid peroxidation [12,13], which may have an adverse effect on the protection of cardiovascular system

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most developed as well as many developing countries [1,2] and contributes substantially to healthcare budgets. Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive and systemic pathologic process and the primary contributing factor to CVD. On the other hand, since ALA is highly susceptible to oxidation, FO addition leads to a significantly higher tendency toward plasma lipid peroxidation [12,13], which may have an adverse effect on the protection of cardiovascular system. Atherosclerosis is the most common pathologic process underlying cardiovascular disease. Both flaxseed oil (FO) and astaxanthin (ASX) are believed to benefit cardiovascular system. The combined effect of FO and ASX on the atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet was investigated. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a rodent diet contained 20% fat whose source was lard (HFD) or 75% lard and 25% FO + ASX (50 mg ASX/kg diet) or 50% lard and 50% FO + ASX (100 mg ASX/kg diet) or FO + ASX (200 mg ASX/kg diet) for 10 weeks

Methods

Results

Conclusion