Flaxseed oil supplementation during lactation change the oxidative balance at adulthood.

Abstract

We have reported several changes in neonate or adult offspring after the maternal use of whole flaxseed or its components during lactation. We aimed to evaluate the effects of high maternal intake of flaxseed oil during lactation upon body composition, lipid profile and oxidative stress at adult offspring. Lactating rats were divided into: control (C, n=10), 7% soybean oil; (2) hyper 19% soybean oil (HS, n=10); and (3) hyper 17% flaxseed oil + 2% soybean oil (HF, n=10). After weaning,the offspring received a standard diet until PN180, when they were killed. HS and HF offspring presented no changes in body weight and food intake. HF male presented higher total body (+38%) and visceral (+44%) fat mass, serum VLDL-c (+56%) and triacylglycerol (+57%). The HF presented higher plasmatic catalase activity (CAT, +79%) and higher hepatic superoxide dismutases - SOD (+19%) and antioxidant total capacity (+16%). In the adipose tissue we observed lower SOD (-55%), higher malondialdehyde content (+49%) and protein oxidation (+17%). The HS offspring presented higher protein oxidation (+17%) and malondialdehyde content (+7%) in liver. Our results, suggested that the higher intake of flaxseed oil during lactation did not caused oxidative damage in liver, as observed with the use of soybean oil. This could be explained by the higher antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT and SOD) in the HF. However, HF offspring still have a higher oxidative damage in the visceral adipose tissue. The maternal flaxseed oil intake program for changes in body composition, lipid profile and in oxidative balance in the adult progeny. Thus, the mothers should limit their intake of flaxseed oil during lactation.