Flaxseed Group Research Articles

Fatty Acids Profile and Consumers' Preferences of Pecorino Cheese Manufactured from Milk of Sheep Supplemented with Flaxseed and Ascophyllum nodosum.

The impact of flaxseed and Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation in ewes during the summer season on the fatty acid and sensory profile and consumer preference for cheese was evaluated. Comisana ewes (n = 32) were divided into four groups: a control (CON) group fed (30 days) with pelleted concentrate, a flaxseed (FS) group fed with whole flaxseed supplementation (250 g/ewe per day), an A. nodosum (AN) group fed with 5% of A. nodosum (into 1 kg/ewe of pelleted concentrate), and an FS + AN group fed with a combination of algae and flaxseed. Pecorino cheeses were analysed after 1 day (curd) and after 45 days (cheese) of ripening. Curd from the FS and FS + AN groups registered higher contents of MUFA, n-3, and n-3/n-6, and lower levels of atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes than curd from the CON and AN groups, as well as a higher content of C18:3n-3, C18:2t9t12, and CLA9c11t, and n-3 and n-3/n-6 fatty acids. Consumers attributed the lowest scores for appearance attributes to AN Pecorino cheese; while Pecorino cheese from FS and FS + AN was judged to have a high-strength flavour attribute and a low rancid, mouldy, and piquant flavour, in comparison with cheese from AN. Flaxseed supplementation could be an effective strategy to improve the nutritional quality of the lipid fraction of cheese without having a detrimental impact on its sensory attributes, especially during the summer season.

In utero and postnatal exposure to Foeniculum vulgare and Linum usitatissimum seed extracts: modifications of key enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and estrogen receptors expression in the offspring’s ovaries of NMRI mice

BackgroundEarly-life exposure to exogenous estrogens such as phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogens) could affect later health through epigenetic modifications. Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Linum usitatissimum (flax) are two common medicinal plants with high phytoestrogen content. Considering the developmental epigenetic programming effect of phytoestrogens, the main goal of the present study was to evaluate the perinatal exposure with life-long exposure to hydroalcoholic extracts of both plants on offspring’s ovarian epigenetic changes and estrogen receptors (ESRs) expression level as signaling cascades triggers of phytoestrogens.MethodsPregnant mice were randomly divided into control (CTL) that received no treatment and extract-treated groups that received 500 mg/kg/day of fennel (FV) and flaxseed (FX) alone or in combination (FV + FX) during gestation and lactation. At weaning, female offspring exposed to extracts prenatally remained on the maternal-doses diets until puberty. Then, the ovaries were collected for morphometric studies and quantitative real-time PCR analysis.ResultsA reduction in mRNA transcripts of the epigenetic modifying enzymes DNMTs and HDACs as well as estrogen receptors was observed in the FV and FX groups compared to the CTL group. Interestingly, an increase in ESRα/ESRβ ratio along with HDAC2 overexpression was observed in the FV + FX group.ConclusionOur findings clearly show a positive relationship between pre and postnatal exposure to fennel and flaxseed extracts, ovarian epigenetic changes, and estrogen receptors expression, which may affect the estrogen signaling pathway. However, due to the high phytoestrogen contents of these extracts, the use of these plants in humans requires more detailed investigations.

Flaxseed Alters Gut Microbiota-Mammary Gland MicroRNA Relationships Differently Than its Oil and Lignan Components

ObjectivesConsumption of flaxseed (FS) and its oil (FSO) and lignan (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, SDG) components have been associated with changes during mammary gland (MG) development which then lead to reduced breast cancer risk in adulthood. FS components are metabolized by the gut microbiota and MG microRNA (miRNA) response to FS may be an underlying mechanism. We aimed to determine if there is an association between the cecal microbiota and MG miRNome, if it is affected by FS or its components, and to identify altered pathways. MethodsWe used MG miRNome (NanoString nCounterâ system) and cecal microbiota (16S rRNA gene sequencing) data from our previous study where 4–5 week old female C57BL/6 mice were randomized to receive one of four isocaloric diets (n = 5–6/group): basal AIN-93G diet (BD), 10% FS, 3.67% FSO, and 0.15% SDG for 3 weeks. Within-group Spearman correlations between paired (by mouse) miRNA and bacterial genera were compared across the 4 conditions by Differential Correlation Analysis (DGCA v1.0.2 R Package). Genes targeted by miRNA in significantly (q < 0.15) altered correlations were identified with miRDB v6.0 and used for pathway analysis (pathDIP 4, Bonferroni adjusted p-value < 0.05). Results619,541, 811, and 768 significant miRNA-genera correlations were found in the BD, FS, FSO, and SDG groups, respectively. FS reversed 24 of the BD within-group correlations, but FSO or SDG did not. SDG reversed 24 of the FS within-group correlations, but FSO did not. Of correlations reversed by FS when compared to BD, enriched pathways of miRNA gene targets included cadherin and Wnt signalling, processes vital to MG development, tumour formation and metastasis. When comparing SDG correlations to FS, involved pathways were related to MG development, tumour initiation and progression. ConclusionsThere is a relationship between gut microbial taxa and MG miRNAs, which is modified by FS. This suggests that the microbiota is a mediator of FS miRNA-dependent effects in the MG. SDG, but not FSO, may participate in FS effects but it does not influence microbial genera-miRNA relationships alone. This suggests that whole FS consumption is necessary for benefits in MG development and breast cancer risk via cecal microbiota-MG miRNA mechanisms. Funding SourcesNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Brown and golden flaxseed reduce intestinal permeability and endotoxemia, and improve the lipid profile in perimenopausal overweight women

The effect of brown and golden flaxseeds on lipid profile, oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and fasting glycaemia of perimenopausal overweight women was investigated in this clinical trial. Thirty participants were divided into control (CG), brown flaxseed (BF), and golden flaxseed (GF) groups. BF and GF received 40 g of brown and golden flaxseed for 12 weeks. Venous blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end. Intestinal permeability analysis was performed by urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol. There was significant reduction in intestinal permeability in flaxseed groups, with delta of lactulose/mannitol ratio smaller (p ≤ 0.05). LPS levels were reduced in the flaxseed groups, whereas low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was decreased in the GF group (p ≤ 0.05). Flaxseed consumption did not change oxidative stress markers and glycaemia. Flaxseed consumption, especially golden flaxseed, reduced intestinal permeability and improved the lipid profile, showing positive effects on metabolic changes caused by menopausal transition. HIGHLIGHTS Brown and golden flaxseeds show a high content of insoluble fibre and alpha-linolenic acid, and brown flaxseed presented higher antioxidant activity. Golden flaxseed improved the lipid profile. Brown and golden flaxseeds reduced intestinal permeability and endotoxemia. Brown and golden flaxseed can be a promising alternative for the prevention of metabolic changes caused by menopausal transition, and for the improvement of the intestinal health.

Comparative Effects of Flaxseed Sources on the Egg ALA Deposition and Hepatic Gene Expression in Hy-Line Brown Hens.

Healthy diets are necessary for both humans and animals, including poultry. These diets contain various nutrients for maintenance and production in laying hens. Therefore, research was undertaken to explore the efficiency of various dietary flaxseed sources on the n-3 deposition in the egg yolk and gene expression in laying hens. Five dietary groups were analyzed, i.e., (i) a corn-based diet with no flaxseed (FS) as a negative control (NC), (ii) a wheat-based diet supplemented with 10% whole FS without multi-carbohydrase enzymes (MCE) as a positive control (PC), (iii) ground FS supplemented with MCE (FS), (iv) extruded flaxseed meal was supplemented with MCE (EFM), (v) flaxseed oil supplemented with MCE (FSO). Results indicated that egg weight was highest in the NC, FS, EFM, and FSO groups as compared to PC in the 12th week. Egg mass was higher in enzyme supplemented groups as compared to the PC group, but lower than NC. In the 12th week, the HDEP (hen day egg production) was highest in the FS and EFM groups as compared to FSO, PC, and NC. The FCR (feed conversion ratio) was better in enzyme supplemented groups as compared to the PC group. Enzyme addition enhanced the egg quality as compared to PC in the 12th week. The HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) was increased, while LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), VLDL-C (very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), TC (total cholesterol), and TG (total triglycerides) were reduced in the enzyme supplemented groups as compared to PC and NC. The FSO deposit more n-3 PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the egg yolk as compared to FS and EFM groups. The expression of ACOX1, LCPT1, FADS1, FADS2, and ELOV2 genes were upregulated, while PPAR-α was downregulated in the FSO group. The LPL mRNA expression was upregulated in the FS, EFM, and FSO groups as compared to the PC and NC groups. It was inferred that FSO with enzymes at 2.5% is cost-effective, improves the hen performances, upregulated the fatty acid metabolism and β-oxidation genes expression, and efficiently deposits optimal n-3 PUFA in the egg as per consumer’s demand.

Protective Effect of Flaxseed on the Health of Experimental Animals Exposed to Xylene

Abstract Xylene is mainly used as a solvent in the printing, tire and leather industries. It is also used as: a facility cleaner, paint and varnish thinner, component of fuel, and chemical for the laboratory processing of histological preparations. For these reasons people are frequently exposed to xylene and the risk of intoxication is high. This study focused on the protective effect of flaxseed on mice experimentally intoxicated with xylene. The experiment lasted 14 days. The mice used in this study (n = 60) were allocated to 3 groups: the control group (C) received only the standard diet; the xylene group (X) was fed a standard diet and was administered xylene p. o. (10 µl daily); and the xylene + flaxseed group (XF) received the standard feed, crushed flaxseed and xylene at the same dose as group X. The observations involved changes in: body weight, liver enzyme levels, and caspase activity in the liver of the mice. The administration of additives resulted in significant changes in the body weight of the mice on day 7 of the experiment (P &lt; 0.05). The highest weight gain was observed in mice from the XF group. In contrast, the body weight of the mice from group X exposed only to xylene was the lowest. The biochemical analysis of the liver cells of the xylene intoxicated mice showed elevated levels of: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT ratio), and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes LDH-3 and LDH-5. Caspase-3, the marker of apoptosis, was increased in the XF group. Thus, the administration of flaxseed in our experiment had a beneficial effect on the clinical and metabolic parameters of mice intoxicated with xylene. Our results indicated that the administration of flaxseed, may act as a preventative measure with respect to xylene intoxication of animals; however, further analyses are needed to confirm this assumption.

Effects of Maternal Flaxseed Supplementation on Female Offspring of Diabetic Rats in Serum Concentration of Glucose, Insulin, and Thyroid Hormones.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal consumption of flaxseed flour and oil on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and thyroid hormones of the adult female offspring of diabetic rats. Methods: Wistar rats were induced to diabetes by a high-fat diet (60%) and streptozotocin (35mg/kg). Rats were mated and once pregnancy was confirmed, were divided into the following groups: Control Group (CG): casein-based diet; High-fat Group (HG): high-fat diet (49%); High-fat Flaxseed Group (HFG): high-fat diet supplemented with 25% flaxseed flour; High-fat Flaxseed Oil group (HOG): high-fat diet, where soya oil was replaced with flaxseed oil. After weaning, female pups (n=6) from each group were separated, received a commercial rat diet and were sacrificed after 180 days. Serum insulin concentrations were determined by ELISA, the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined by chemiluminescence. Results: There was a significant reduction in body weight at weaning in HG (-31%), HFG (-33%) and HOG (44%) compared to CG (p=0.002), which became similar by the end of 180 days. Blood glucose levels were reduced in HFG (-10%, p=0.044) when compared to CG, and there was no significant difference between groups in relation to insulin, T3, T4, and TSH after 180 days. Conclusions: Maternal severe hyperglycemia during pregnancy and lactation resulted in a microsomal offspring. Maternal consumption of flaxseed reduces blood glucose levels in adult offspring without significant effects on insulin levels and thyroid hormones.

Can the indicators of chronic ethanol consumption be minimized by a continuous flaxseed intake?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of flaxseed in animals subjected to ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups (n=6): control group (CG) which received a control diet and water adlibitum; flaxseed group (FG) which received control diet with an addition of 25% flaxseed flour and water adlibitum; ethanol control group (ECG) which received control diet and a solution of 10% ethanol (v/v) as the only liquid source; and ethanol flaxseed group (EFG) which received control diet with an addition of 25% flaxseed flour and a solution of 10% ethanol (v/v) as the only liquid source. The animals were euthanized at 60days, when blood was collected for biochemical analysis and liver was collected for histomorphometric analysis. Rats fed with diets containing flaxseed showed lower values of alkaline phosphatase (P=0.020) and lower concentration of total bilirubin (P=0.006), direct bilirubin (P=0.013) and indirect bilirubin (P=0.018) compared to ECG and EFG. The groups receiving flaxseed diets demonstrated higher expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (P<0.001) than CG and ECG but did not affect thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) expression (P=0.055). Regarding liver analysis, the ECG and EFG showed larger hepatocyte nuclei and paler cytoplasm than the groups who had not received ethanol, and less in fluid accumulation (oedema) in the cytoplasm than was seen in the FG and EFG livers. These latter two groups showed fewer fatty cells than was seen in the groups that had not been given flaxseed, so that the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis was not justified. In conclusion, therefore, this study showed that the indicators of ethanol chronic consumption can be reduced by the introduction of continuous flaxseed dietary intake.

The Effect of Flaxseed Ethanolic Extract on the Structure of the Kidney and the Endocrine Pancreas in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background : The present investigation has been designed to study the possible protective effect of flaxseed extract on the structures of the endocrine pancreas and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats for 30 days. Methods : Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=8). Normal control group (NC); received distilled water orally, normal flaxseed group (NF); treated orally with (400 mg/kg) extract of flaxseed, diabetic control group (DC); treated with single intraperitoneal dose of STZ (60 mg/kg), diabetic flaxseed group (DF); diabetic rats treated with extract of flaxseed (400 mg/kg), diabetic glibenclamide group (DG); diabetic rats treated with (0.6 mg/kg) glibenclamide. Results : Histological observation of sections in pancreas in DC group revealed shrunken islets of Langerhans with degenerated and degranulated β-cells, vacuolations and congested capillaries while sections of kidneys showed shrinkage of some glomeruli and degeneration of others with wide urinary space and hydropic degeneration in some tubular epithelial cells, dilated tubules and cell debris scattered in tubular lumina. These pathological changes were ameliorated in the flaxseed extract and glibenclamide treated rats. Conclusions : It is concluded that flaxseed extract may represent a good alternative treatment for management of diabetes and its related complications such as diabetic nephropathy.

The influence of a diet based on flaxseed, an omega-3 source, during different developmental periods, on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress

Objective: This study aimed to investigate a flaxseed diet during different developmental periods, and its effect on the blood pressure of rats submitted to stress.Methods: Fifty-six male rats (F1), born from 14 rats (F0), were divided into seven groups (n = 8): flaxseed group (FG); flaxseed group gestation and lactation (FG-GL); flaxseed group weaning (FG-W); flaxseed group weaning and stress (FG-WS); flaxseed group stress (FG-S); flaxseed group gestation lactation and weaning (FG-GLW), and control Group (CG). Stress protocol was undertaken for 1 month. Blood pressure was analysed before and after the stress protocol. The left adrenal glands and serum corticosterone levels were analysed.Results: Systolic blood pressure before stress was lower in all groups with flaxseed diet compared with the CG (p = .00001). After stress, CG showed higher blood pressure compared with FG, FG-GL, and FG-GLW (p = .004). The levels of corticosterone were lower in the FG between all groups (p < .000001) and the CG showed higher compared with FG-W, FG-WS, FG-GL, and FG-GLW (p < .0001). The adrenal gland did not show differences.Conclusions: Results suggest a possible factor from a flaxseed diet against the effects of stress on a blood pressure in all periods of life but especially in the gestation and lactation periods.

Anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects of flaxseed on experimental unilateral spinal cord injury in rat

Objectives Investigation of anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects of flaxseed on rats with unilateral SCI.Methods 30 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control (Ctrl), laminectomy, flaxseed, spinal cord injured (SCI) and SCI + flaxseed (treatment) groups. SCI model was induced by placing a 50 g weight for 5 min on to a 2.2 mm × 2.5 mm platform applied to the dura at vertebral level T10. After 4 weeks, the blood of rats in different groups was collected and the influence of flaxseed on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress marker level, histologic alterations and locomotion score were assessed.Results Our results showed that in the SCI group, the mean level of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase(CAT) were significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.01), whereas the mean malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased (P &lt; 0.001) in comparison to the laminectomy group. Furthermore, the mean levels of SOD, GPx and CAT in the treatment group was higher than the SCI group (P &lt; 0.001), while, the mean MDA content in the treatment group was significantly less than the SCI group (P &lt; 0.001). In addition, comparison between SCI and treatment groups determined a significant decrease in tissue degeneration and volume of cavities in the treatment group. However, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were significantly increased in flaxseed-treated rats on days 14 (P &lt; 0.05), 21 and 28 (P &lt; 0.01) after surgery compared with the SCI group.Conclusions Our study for the first time showed the anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects of flaxseed on experimental unilateral spinal cord injury in rat.Keywords spinal cord injury, flaxseed, oxidative stress, neuroprotective, anti-oxidative

Influence of prolonged flaxseed ( Linum usitatissimum ) consumption over epididymis and testicle histoarchitecture of Wistar rats

ABSTRACT: Flaxseed is considered a functional food with several health benefits. However, because of its high phytoestrogen content, flaxseed influences hormone metabolism and affects the gonadal biomorphology. In this study, computerized histomorphometry was used to evaluate seminiferous and epididymal tubules, considering the different regions of the epididymis (head, body and tail) of rats subjected to a prolonged diet of flaxseed. Young adult male Wistar rats (n=20) were divided into 2 groups during their lactation period: Control Group (CG), fed casein-based meals and Flaxseed Group (FG), fed a 25% flaxseed meal. After 250 days of continuous ingestion, the animals were euthanized and a blood sample was collected. The testicles and epididymis were removed and fixed in buffered formalin solution. The samples were subjected to routine histological paraffin techniques and stained with hematoxilin and eosin. Immunostaining was performed using an antivimentin antibody for Sertoli cell identification. For morphometry, images of the slides were scanned and analyzed using Image J to determine the epithelial height, tubular and luminal diameter and tubular and luminal area. In the hormonal evaluation, FG had a higher serum concentration of estrogen (P=0.001), but no change was observed in the concentration of testosterone. The morphometric assay of seminiferous tubules and epididymal regions revealed no significant differences between the analyzed groups. Similarly, Sertoli cell quantification showed no significant differences in the FG (P=0.98). These results revealed that the continuous and prolonged intake of 25% flaxseed meals from gestation to 250 days of age, even with a significant increase in serum levels of estradiol, does not exert adverse effects on the testicular and epididymal structure or on the cells participating in the spermatogenesis of rats.

Comparative effects of brown and golden flaxseeds on body composition, inflammation and bone remodelling biomarkers in perimenopausal overweight women

Flaxseed may improve the adverse effects of the lack of oestrogens. This study compared the effects of brown and golden flaxseed intake on body composition, inflammation and bone biomarkers in overweight perimenopausal women. The participants were divided into groups: control, brown, and golden flaxseed and received a calorie-restricted diet plan of 250kcal per day. The brown and golden flaxseed groups consumed 40g of the respective flaxseed per day for 12weeks. Both flaxseeds reduced waist circumference, but the golden flaxseed also reduced body weight, body mass index, and fat mass. Flaxseed supplementation, irrespective to the variety, had no significant effect on pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) biomarkers, hormones (25(OH)D3 and 17β-oestradiol) or on the bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen - NTX-I) biomarkers. Brown flaxseed was less effective than the golden flaxseed in modifying body composition of perimenopausal women.

Flaxseed reduces epithelial proliferation but does not affect basal cells in induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the effects of a flaxseed-based diet on the histoarchitecture of the prostate of normal Wistar rats and of rats with induced BPH. The study included four experimental groups of ten animals each: casein control group (CCG), who were fed a casein-based diet; flaxseed control group (FCG), who were fed a flaxseed-based diet; hyperplasia-induced casein group (HICG), who were fed a casein-based diet; and hyperplasia-induced flaxseed group (HIFG), who were fed a flaxseed-based diet. Hyperplasia was induced by the subcutaneous implantation of silicone pellets containing testosterone propionate. After 20weeks, the rats were euthanized and their prostate fixed in buffered formalin. Tissue sections were stained with HE, picrosirius red and immunostained for nuclear antigen p63. Histomorphometric analysis evaluated the epithelial thickness, epithelial area, individual luminal area, and total area of prostatic alveoli. The mean epithelial thickness obtained for HIFG and HICG was 16.52±1.65 and 20.58±2.86µm, respectively. The mean epithelial thickness in HICG was greater than that in the other groups tested. HIFG had a smaller epithelial thickness and lower percentage of papillary projections in the prostatic alveoli. No significant difference was observed between CCG and FCG. The total area and mean alveolar area showed no significant differences between the groups. The number of cells immunostained for p63 was not significantly different between the groups evaluated. These results suggest that flaxseed has a protective effect on the prostate epithelium in BPH-induced animals.

Fatty acid profile of milk and Cacioricotta cheese from Italian Simmental cows as affected by dietary flaxseed supplementation

The study aimed to determine the effects of adding flaxseed to the diet on the fatty acid profile of the milk of Italian Simmental cows and on the Cacioricotta cheese thereby produced. The experiment involved 24 Italian Simmental cows divided into 2 groups of 12 animals according to the diet fed: a control diet (CO) with no flaxseed supplementation, and a diet supplemented with whole flaxseed (FS). Milk yield and composition was not significantly changed by diet, whereas saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were increased by flaxseed supplementation. Cows fed flaxseed showed higher percentages of long-chain fatty acids: in particular, linolenic acids, mainly represented by C18:3n-3, and n-3 series were higher in the FS group than in the CO group. The percentage of MUFA was higher by about 12% in FS than in CO, mainly due to the contribution of C18:1 cis-9. The percentage of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk was not significantly changed by flaxseed supplementation. Furthermore, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were lower by about 30 and 16%, respectively, in the FS group compared with the CO group. The fatty acid profile of Cacioricotta cheese produced using Italian Simmental cow milk showed higher levels of MUFA, PUFA, and n-3, and improved atherogenic and thrombogenic indices in FS than in CO, confirming the ability to transfer beneficial molecules from milk into cheese. In particular, cheese-making technology contributed to the increased CLA content in Cacioricotta cheese.

Effects of Rice Bran, Flax Seed, and Sunflower Seed on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition, Free Amino Acid and Peptide Contents, and Sensory Evaluations of Native Korean Cattle (Hanwoo).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with rice bran, flax seed, or sunflower seed to finishing native Korean cattle (Hanwoo) on growth performances, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition, free amino acid and peptide contents, and sensory evaluations of Longissimus muscle (LM). A total of 39 Hanwoo steers (average age of 22.2 mo and average body weight (BW) of 552.2 kg) were randomly divided into Control, rice bran (RB), flax seed (FS), or Sunflower seed (SS) groups. The steers were group fed for 273 d until they reached an average age of 31.2 mo. Final BW was 768.2, 785.8, 786.2, and 789.0 kg, and average daily gain was 0.79, 0.85, 0.82, and 0.84 kg for the Control, RS, FS, and SS groups, respectively (p>0.05). Fat thickness of the FS group (19.8 mm) was greater (p<0.05) than that of the other groups. Final yield grade converted into numerical values was 2.0 for the RB group, 1.7 for the Control and SS groups, and 1.4 for the FS group. Marbling degrees for the Control, SS, RB, and FS groups were 5.3, 5.1, 4.7, and 4.6, respectively. Percentages of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and arachidic acid (C20:0) in the LM were not different among the groups. Palmitoleic (C16:1) acid was higher (p<0.05) in the SS group. The concentration of oleic acid was highest (p<0.05) in the Control group (47.73%). The level of linolenic acid (C18:3) was 2.3 times higher (p<0.05) in the FS group compared to the other groups. Methionine concentration was (p<0.05) higher in FS (1.7 mg/100 g) and SS (1.2 mg/100 g) steers than in the Control or RB groups. Glutamic acid and α-aminoadipic acid (α-AAA) contents were (p<0.05) higher in the FS group compared to the other groups. LM from the FS group had numerically higher (p>0.05) scores for flavor, umami, and overall palatability in sensory evaluations. In conclusion, supplementation of flax seed to diets of finishing Hanwoo steers improved sensory evaluations which might have been caused by increases in flavor related amino acids such as methionine, glutamic acid and α-AAA and peptides, anserine and carnosine, and their complex reactions.

Consumption of Ahiflower Oil Is Safe and Increases Tissue EPA Levels Compared to Flaxseed Oil – Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial

Ahiflower oil is a dietary oil rich in stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4 n‐3) extracted from Buglossoides arvensis seeds. We report herein a randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled Phase I Clinical Trial. This is the first study of this novel dietary oil in humans. Healthy subjects (n=40) supplemented their diets (28 days, 9.8 g/d) with Ahiflower oil (46% α‐linolenic acid (ALA), 20% SDA) or with flaxseed oil (59% ALA). Safety parameters were blood and urine chemistries, blood lipid profiles, hepatic and renal function tests and hematology. No clinically‐significant safety‐related values were measured in either group. Fasting plasma, RBC, polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MC) were collected at baseline, 14 and 28 days and fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Linear mixed models (repeated measures design) probed for differences in time and time x treatment interaction using gender, age and BMI as covariates. Amongst significant tissue fatty acid changes, EPA (20:5 n‐3) as % of total fatty acids increased from baseline to day 28 in both the Ahiflower (plasma, RBC, PMN and MC, respectively: 0.46 vs 1.34, 0.44 vs 0.74, 0.15 vs 0.24 and 0.20 vs 0.48; all p&lt;0.05) and flaxseed (0.43 vs 0.76, 0.42 vs 0.55, 0.16 vs 0.19, 0.20 vs 0.27; all p&lt;0.05) groups. Notably, EPA accrual in plasma and cells was greater in the Ahiflower group (time x treatment interactions, p&lt;0.05) and the change in plasma EPA at day 28 was 2.5‐times greater in the Ahiflower group. In conclusion, Ahiflower oil is a safe and sustainable seed oil for enrichment of tissues with n‐3 PUFA and is more effective than flaxseed oil. (Funded by: CIHR, Atlantic Innovation Fund, Technology Crops Intl)

Dietary flaxseed modulates the miRNA profile in irradiated and non-irradiated murine lungs

Introduction Dietary flaxseed (FS) displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical models of lung disease including radiation-induced pneumonopathy, however the mechanisms of lung radioprotection are incompletely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short oligonucleotides that act as important posttranscriptional regulators of diverse networks including inflammatory response networks. Responses of miRNA profiles to diet and radiation exposure have been reported, but the potential contribution of miRNAs to diet-related radioprotection has never been tested.Methods In this exploratory pilot study, mice were fed 10% FS or a 0% FS isocaloric control diet and exposed to a single-fraction 13.5 Gy thoracic X-ray radiation treatment (XRT). Lung RNA was extracted 48 h post-XRT and small RNAs profiled by OpenArray.Results FS significantly modulated expression of multiple miRNAs, including 7 with P < 0.001. miR-150 was downregulated approximately 2.9-fold in the FS groups and is disproportionately integrated into immune response-related networks. Although few miRNAs were significantly changed by radiation, interaction between diet and radiation was observed. For example, miR-29c was greatly downregulated in the FS/Control group (10- to 50-fold) but slightly upregulated in the FS/radiation group. Compared with FS/control, the FS/radiation group experienced a 50% decrease of the p53-responsive miR-34a, which regulates senescence- and apoptosis-related factors.Conclusions FS induced significant changes in lung miRNA profile suggesting that modulation of small RNA by dietary supplements may represent a novel strategy to prevent adverse side-effects of thoracic radiotherapy. This pilot study provides insight into a potential mechanism of flaxseed’s radioprotection and provides a useful model-system to further explore and optimize such small RNA-based therapies.

A Pilot Study Comparing the Effect of Flaxseed, Aromatase Inhibitor, and the Combination on Breast Tumor Biomarkers

Use of complementary approaches is common among breast cancer survivors. Potential interactions between aromatase inhibitors (AI) and high phytoestrogen foods, such as flaxseed (FS), are not often described. We conducted a pilot 2 × 2 factorial, randomized intervention study between tumor biopsy and resection, in 24 postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, to assess the effects of FS and anastrozole, and possible interactions between them, on serum steroid hormone and tumor-related characteristics associated with long-term survival (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 2007–2010). The effect of each treatment vs. placebo on outcomes was determined by linear regression adjusting for pretreatment measure, stage, and grade. Although not statistically significant, mean ERβ expression was approximately 40% lower from pre- to postintervention in the FS + AI group only. We observed a statistically significant negative association (β ± SE −0.3 ± 0.1; P = 0.03) for androstenedione in the FS + AI group vs. placebo and for DHEA with AI treatment (β ± SE −1.6 ± 0.6; P = 0.009). Enterolactone excretion was much lower in the FS + AI group compared to the FS group. Our results do not support strong effects of FS on AI activity for selected breast tumor characteristics or serum steroid hormone levels but suggest AI therapy might reduce the production of circulating mammalian lignans from FS.

Conversion of α‐linolenic acid to long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid derivatives and alterations of HDL density subfractions and plasma lipids with dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in Monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)

The effect of α-linolenic acid from a flaxseed (FLX)-enriched diet on plasma lipid and fatty acid metabolism and possible atherosclerosis risk factors was studied in Monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus). Twenty-four Monk parrots were randomly assigned to diets containing either 10% ground SUNs or 10% ground FLXs. Feed intake was calculated daily. Blood samples, body condition scores and body weights were obtained at -5 weeks, day 0, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 70. Plasma samples were analysed for total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triacylglycerols and lipoproteins. Phospholipid subfraction fatty acid profiles were determined. By day 70, the FLX group had significantly higher plasma phospholipid fatty acids including 18:3n-3 (α-linolenic acid), 20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid). The sunflower group had significantly higher plasma phospholipid levels of 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid). By day 70, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) peak shifted resulting in significantly different HDL peak densities between the two experimental groups (1.097 g/ml FLX group and 1.095 g/ml SUN group, p = 0.028). The plasma fatty acid results indicate that Monk parrots can readily convert α-linolenic acid to the long-chain omega-3 derivatives including docosahexaenoic acid and reduce 20:4n-6 accumulation in plasma phospholipids. The reason for a shift in the HDL peak density is unknown at this time.