G. Teles Boaventura

Influence of omega-3 fatty acids from the flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on the brain development of newborn rats

OBJECTIVES The importance of essential fatty acids, in particular the omega-3 family, in the central nervous system development of newborns is well documented. The flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is considered one of the best vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids. The influence of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed on the brain development of newborn rats was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Pups of the F1 generation were obtained from 18 female Wistar rats divided in 3 groups (n=6), FG: fed with diet based on Flaxseed added with casein, CG: Casein, and MCG: Modified Casein supplemented with fibers and soybean oil. Newborn pups were weighted and submitted to euthanasia; brains were collected for evaluation of weight and lipid profile through gaseous chromatography. RESULTS Significant increase in brain weight (39%) and relative brain weight (37%) was verified in pups from mothers fed with flaxseed diet. The omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids from the flaxseed were found in abundance in the diet made with this oleaginous and also significant increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (38%), as well as in total of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (62%). CONCLUSION Maternal diet of flaxseed during pregnancy influences the incorporation of omega-3 fatty acid in the composition of brain tissue, assuring a good development of this organ in newborn rats.Resumen en: Objectives: The importance of essential fatty acids, in particular the omega-3 family, in the central nervous sys- tem development of newborns is well do...

Impact of dietary flaxseed (linum usitatissimum) supplementation on biochemical profile in healthy rats

Flaxseed has been suggested play preventive and therapeutic roles in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of flaxseed-supplemented dietary in healthy rats. We used 30 rats divided in three groups (n = 10): Control Group (C) was fed with a casein-based chow (10% protein; 5% fiber; 7% lipid); Flaxseed Group (F) was fed with the casein-based chow supplemented with 25% flaxseed (10% protein; 7% fiber; 11% lipid); Internal Control Group (IC) was fed with the casein-based chow plus soybean oil and fiber (10% protein; 7% fiber; 11% lipid). The blood was obtained by cardiac puncture (after 180 days) and the serum was separated for lipid profile, glucose and uric acid analyses by commercial kit. Although all groups fed the same amount of ration, F group presented low (p < 0.05) body mass than C and IC groups. Total cholesterol and triacylgycerol were similar between all groups. F group presented HDL-C (High-density lipoprotein cholesterol) increase (p < 0.05) in 47% when compared C group. The LDL-C (Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), glucose and uric acid were reduced (p < 0.05) 22%, 78% 64%, respectively, in F compared to C group. All results together suggest that the supplementation with 20% o flaxseed might be important to prevent cardiovascular disorders.Flaxseed has been suggested play preventive and therapeutic roles in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of flaxseed-supplemented dietary in healthy rats. We used 30 rats divided in three groups (n = 10): Control Group (C) was fed with a casein-based chow (10% protein; 5% fiber; 7% lipid); Flaxseed Group (F) was fed with the casein-based chow supplemented with 25% flaxseed (10% protein; 7% fiber; 11% lipid); Internal Control Group (IC) was fed with the casein-based chow plus soybean oil and fiber (10% protein; 7% fiber; 11% lipid). The blood was obtained by cardiac puncture (after 180 days) and the serum was separated for lipid profile, glucose and uricacid analyses by commercial kit. Although all groups fed the same amount of ration, F group presented low (p < 0.05) body mass than C and IC groups. Total cholesterol and triacylgycerol were similar between all groups. F group presented HDL-C (High-density lipoprotein cholesterol) increase (p < 0.05) in 47% when compared C group. The LDL-C (Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), glucose and uric acid were reduced (p < 0.05) 22%, 78% 64%, respectively, in F compared to C group. All results together suggest that the supplementation with 20% o flaxseed might be important to prevent cardiovascular disorders.

Flaxseed and its contribution to body growth and brain of Wistar rats during chidhood and adolescence

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of flaxseed upon body growth and brain of rats. METHODS Experimental phase lasted 52 days, using 42 Wistar rats which were divided into four groups: Control (CG, n = 12), 10% casein diet; Flaxseed (GL, n = 12), 10% flaxseed diet plus casein; Modified Control (GCM, n = 12), 10% casein diet with changes in lipid and fiber comparable to GL; Non-protein (GA, n = 6), diet without protein. Considering food intake, protein intake and weight variation, the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) was calculated. Net Protein Retention (NPR) and the Food Efficiency Ratio (CEA) were also determined relative to brain weight at 30 days of life (M30) and at 52 days (M52). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Test of Sheffe and post-test of Bonferroni were used, p < 0.05. RESULTS GL had lower food intake, protein and weight variation than GC, but had higher values than GCM. Concerning PER, GL was lower than GC and similar to the GCM, as well as CEA. As for NPR, GL had lower values than the CG and GCM. At M30, GL was superior to GC in relation to brain weight. Likewise, the same was observed at M52. CONCLUSION Flaxseed promoted adequate growth and better brain development in animals, which might be explained by increased incorporation of omega-3 into these tissues.

Dietary supplements for the lactating adolescent mother: influence on plasma micronutrients

INTRODUCTION The nutritional status of micronutrients in lactating adolescent women is crucial to guarantee an adequate secretion of these in breast milk and, consequently, an adequate nutritional status of children. Hence, more attention should be given to micronutrient status of adolescent mother who breastfeed. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of multimicronutrients supplementation upon nutritional status of iron, copper, zinc and calcium of lactating adolescent mother from low socioeconomic status in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil. METHODS We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. During 60 days, 36 adolescents were allocated into two groups: supplemented group (SG) with 17 volunteers, receiving daily multimicronutrients supplement and the placebo group (PG) with 19 volunteers, receiving an inert compound. Plasma iron, copper, zinc and calcium and hemoglobin were determined at 7, 11 and 15 of the postpartum weeks (PPW). The effect of supplementation was analyzed by analysis of variance, comparing the differences between groups and within groups. RESULTS The average age of volunteers was 17.1 ± 0.8 for the supplemented group and 16.3 ± 1.4 for the placebo group. We observed an increase in the mean concentration of zinc (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin (p < 0.05) in the SG during the study (60 days), while the PG showed reduction (p < 0.05) in the mean concentration of copper between the 7th and 11t h PPW. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that supplementation with multimicronutrientes exerted positive effect on hemoglobin, copper and zinc.

Hematologic and immunological indicators are altered by chronic intake of flaxseed in Wistar rats

This work sought to evaluate the effects of chronic intake of flaxseed upon hematologic parameters and immunological findings on body development of Wistar rats. Female Wistar rats were used after gestation. They were randomly assigned into two groups during lactation period: Control group (CG), fed with casein based diet, made up of 17% protein and flaxseed group (FG), fed with casein based diet with the addition of 25% flaxseed. At weaning, 12 male pups of each group continued to receive the experimental diets of their mothers (with only 10% of protein) until adult age, when they were killed at 250 days of life aiming at blood collection. At 250 days old FG presented significant reduction in body mass (p<0.000) and higher levels of hemoglobin (p=0.019) and albumin (p=0.030) than CG. It was observed smaller percentage of segmented lymphocytes (p=0.016) in rats from FG and bigger percentage of segmented leucocytes (p=0.023) when compared to CG. The chronic consumption of flaxseed altered hematologic and immunological indicators in adult Wistar rats. Supplementation with flaxseed seems to be beneficial to maintenance or reduction of body mass.

Behavioral analysis of Wistar rats fed with a flaxseed based diet added to an environmental enrichment

Flaxseed has a high content of n-3 fatty acids and its intake associated with an environmental enrichment may promote distinct behavioral results upon habituation and animal behavior. This work aimed to evaluating animal behavior under the use of these two tools in the Open Field Test. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6): FEEG, receiving chow made up of flaxseed and kept in enriched environment; FSEG, receiving flaxseed based diet and kept in a standard environment; CEEG, receiving casein based diet and kept in enriched environment; CSEG, receiving casein based chow and kept in standard environment; MCEEG, receiving chow made up of casein but modified so as to provide the same content of fibers and lipids found in flaxseed diet and kept in enriched environment; MCSEG, receiving modified casein based diet and kept in standard environment. All animals were kept under controlled temperature, collective cages and dark/light cycle, receiving chow and water ad libitum, except for MCEEG and MCSEG, which were pair fed with FEEG and FSEG, respectively. Chow intake and animal body weight were evaluated twice in a week. Animals were maintained in these groups from the first until the second month of life, by the time when 3 day tests in Open Field Test began. Finishing the tests, animals were sacrificed and their brains were obtained in order to calculate the relative brain weight. Our results show an interplay between flaxseed and environmental enrichment in habituation to a new environment, making the animals more manageable and less stressed. (Nutr Hosp. 2011;26:716-721) DOI:10.3305/nh.2011.26.4.4859Flaxseed has a high content of n-3 fatty acids and its intake associated with an environmental enrichment may promote distinct behavioral results upon habituation and animal behavior. This work aimed to evaluating animal behavior under the use of these two tools in the Open Field Test. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6): FEEG, receiving chow made up of flaxseed and kept in enriched environment; FSEG, receiving flaxseed based diet and kept in a standard environment; CEEG, receiving casein based diet and kept in enriched environment; CSEG, receiving casein based chow and kept in standard environment; MCEEG, receiving chow made up of casein but modified so as to provide the same content of fibers and lipids found in flaxseed diet and kept in enriched environment; MCSEG, receiving modified casein based diet and kept in standard environment. All animals were kept under controlled temperature, collective cages and dark/light cycle, receiving chow and water ad libitum, except for MCEEG and MCSEG, which were pair fed with FEEG and FSEG, respectively. Chow intake and animal body weight were evaluated twice in a week. Animals were maintained in these groups from the first until the second month of life, by the time when 3 day tests in Open Field Test began. Finishing the tests, animals were sacrificed and their brains were obtained in order to calculate the relative brain weight. Our results show an interplay between flaxseed and environmental enrichment in habituation to a new environment, making the animals more manageable and less stressed.

Body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning and treated with diet containing flour or flaxseed oil after 21 days until 60 days.

The aim of this study was analyzed if the flour or flaxseed oil treatment contributes to body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning. Pups were weaned for separation from mother at 14 (early weaning, EW) and 21 days (control, C). At 21 days, part of the pups was evaluated (C21 v. EW21). After 21 days, control (C60) was fed with control diet. EW was divided in control (EWC60); flaxseed flour (EWFF60); flaxseed oil (EWFO60) diets until 60 days. Body mass, length and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were determined. EW21 (v. C21) and EWC60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) mass, length and body composition. EWFO60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) body mass and length, body and trunk lean mass, bone mineral density and content and bone area. Flaxseed flour, in comparison with flaxseed oil, contributes to recovery of body composition after early weaning.