Key Findings
The purpose of this research was to identify the effect of flaxseed, a bioactive food compound on rabbits with high TC and TG levels. The study aims to verify the clinical outcome of the change in the lipid profile due to the use of seeds from W86, a genetically modified Linum usitatissimum cv. Linola which has lower levels of alpha-linolenic acid. The second objective was to determine if use of flax seeds with increase in α-linolenic acid level, and increased phenylpropanoid compounds, and hydrolysable tannin [12] has deleterious effects of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets and if these effects are different in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The results suggested that W86 flaxseed from genetically modified Linola affect lipid metabolism and lower atherogenic indexes in rabbits. W86 flaxseed may provide a safe and relatively inexpensive alternative for reducing cholesterol and thereby the risk of CVD and be a good supplement in atherosclerosis and obesity prevention.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dietary fat is considered one of the most important factors associated with blood lipid metabolism and plays a significant role in the cause and prevention of atherosclerosis that has been widely accepted as an inflammatory disease of the vascular system. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of genetically modified flaxseed (W86) rich in phenylpropanoid compounds and hydrolysable tannin in high cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis rabbit models compared to parental cultivar Linola. METHODS: Twenty-Eight White New Zealand white rabbits aged 6 months were randomly divided into four groups, control group, high cholesterol group (10 g/kg), Linola flaxseed group (100 g/kg) and W86 flaxseed group (100 g/kg). The rabbits were fed a normal diet or a high cholesterol diet for 10 weeks. Levels of blood lipids, hematological values, total antioxidative status and superoxide dismutase activity in serum were determined. Moreover, body weight and feed intake were measured after sixth and tenth weeks. After each stage of the experiment atherogenic indexes (non-HDL-C/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and atherogenic index of plasma) was calculated. RESULTS: The intake of a dyslipidaemic diet negatively influenced lipid profile in rabbits at the 10 weeks of feeding. W86 flaxseed significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TG serum levels in cholesterolemic rabbits compared with parental Linola after 10 weeks. Atherogenic indexes decreased over time with a significant difference between the diets and they were the best for W86 flaxseed. Similarly, the experimental addition of W86 significantly decreased atherogenic predictors such as heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio. In rabbits, W86 flaxseed increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidative status compared to Linola. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the presented study suggest that the addition of W86 flaxseed alleviate serum lipid changes in high cholesterolemic diet-administered rabbits. W86 flaxseed significantly reduced atherogenic indexes, as compared with the Linola and indicate that W86 flaxseed more effectively red CVD risk factors during hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, the presented result suggested that W86 flaxseed can be a part of a heart-healthy and antiatherogenic diet for the human.
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