Key Findings
Flaxseed may have potential as a dietary therapeutic agent in the management of renal disease. The objective of this study was to examine if feeding flaxseed oil and/or SDG would support growth and achievement of higher lean and bone mass in health and bone mass in the Han:SPRD-cy rat model of kidney disease. The results showed that the consumption of flaxseed oil does not limit growth and enhances bone mass in males and females, regardless of health or kidney disease. Fat mass is lower with consuming flaxseed oil in males, but not females. Lean mass is preserved in the Han:SPRD-cy model of early polycystic kidney disease regardless of diet. Dietary interventions with flaxseed oil in early chronic renal disease of childhood with respect to preservation of growth, body composition and bone mass warrant investigation.
ABSTRACT
Flaxseed’s oil and lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), are implicated in attainment of health and treatment of renal injury and osteoporosis. To test for these benefits, weanling Han:SPRD-cy rats (n =171) with or without kidney disease were randomized to diets made with either corn oil or flaxseed oil and with or without SDG for 12 weeks. In females, weight was lower with the SDG diet. In males fed flaxseed oil, lean mass was higher and fat % was lower. In both sexes, fat % was lower in diseased rats. Bone mineral content (BMC) and density were higher in rats fed flaxseed oil and lower in diseased rats, additionally; BMC was lower in SDG-supplemented females. The benefit of flaxseed oil on body composition is sex specific but the effect on bone mass is not. Lastly, reduced weight due to early rat kidney disease is not due to loss of lean body mass.
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