Qingde Huang

Flaxseed oil and α-lipoic acid combination reduces atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is a major manifestation of the pathophysiology underlying cardiovascular disease. Flaxseed oil (FO) and α-lipoic acid (LA) have been reported to exert potential benefit to cardiovascular system. This study tried to assess the effect of supplement of FO and LA combination on the atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet.MethodsLA was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 8 g/kg (FO+LA) when used. The rodent diet contained 20% fat. One-fifth of the fat was soybean oil and the others were lard (HFD group), or 75% lard and 25% FO+LA (L-FO+LA group), or 50% lard and 50% FO+LA (M-FO+LA group), or FO+LA (H-FO+LA group). Animals were fed for 10 weeks and then killed for blood collection.ResultsSupplement of FO and LA combination significantly enhanced plasma antioxidant defense capacities, as evaluated by the marked increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx as well as the level of GSH, and the significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. Simultaneous intake of FO and LA also reduced plasma TG, TC and LDL-C contents and elevated the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C. Besides, in parallel with the increase of FO and LA combination, plasma IL-6 and CRP levels were remarkably reduced.ConclusionSupplement of FO and LA combination may contribute to prevent atherogenesis by improving plasma oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammation.

Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients reduces atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet

BackgroundMicronutrients polyphenols, tocopherols and phytosterols in rapeseed exert potential benefit to cardiovascular system, but most of these micronutrients are removed by the refining process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rapeseed oil fortified with these micronutrients on the atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet.MethodsThe rodent diet contained 20% fat whose source was refined rapeseed oil (RRO) or fortified refined rapeseed oil with low, middle and high quantities of these micronutrients (L-, M- and H-FRRO). Forty male SD rats were divided into four groups. One group received RRO diet and other groups received L-, M- and H-FRRO diet for 10 weeks.ResultsMicronutrients supplementation significantly increased plasma antioxidant defense capacities, as evaluated by the significant elevation in the activities of GPx, CAT and SOD as well as the level of GSH, and the significant decline in lipid peroxidation. These micronutrients also reduced the plasma contents of TG, TC and LDL-C and increased the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C. In addition, in parallel with the enhancement of these micronutrients, plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP declined remarkably.ConclusionRapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients polyphenols, tocopherols and phytosterols may contribute to prevent atherogenesis by ameliorating plasma oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammation.

Laxative effects of partially defatted flaxseed meal on normal and experimental constipated mice

BackgroundConstipation is a very common health problem in the world. Intake of sufficient amount of dietary fibers is a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of constipation. As a traditional medicine, flaxseed has been used to treat constipation for centuries, but the controlled trials are rare. The purpose of the present study was to assess that whether partially defatted flaxseed meal (PDFM) has the potential role to facilitate fecal output in normal and experimental constipated mice.MethodsAfter supplemented with 2.5%, 5% and 10% (w/w) PDFM (L-, M- and H -PDFM) for 14 days, the constipation models of mice were induced by atropine-diphenoxylate. The small intestinal transit rates, start time of defecation, amount of defecation and wet weight of feces were researched in normal and constipation model mice.ResultsM- and H-PDFM significantly increase small intestinal transit rates in constipation model mice. All dose of PDFM markedly shortened the start time of defecation and M- and H-PDFM significantly increase stool frequency and weight in both normal and constipation model mice.ConclusionsPDFM may be a useful laxative to facilitate fecal output in normal and constipation conditions.

Flaxseed oil and alpha-lipoic acid combination ameliorates hepatic oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in comparison to lard

BackgroundIntake of high-fat diet is associated with increased non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress are key pathophysiological mechanisms in NAFLD. Both flaxseed oil (FO) and α-lipoic acid (LA) exert potential benefit to NAFLD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the combination of FO and LA on hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in rats induced by high-fat diet.MethodsLA was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 8 g/kg (FO + LA). The rodent diet contained 20% fat. One-fifth of the fat was soybean oil and the others were lard (control group), or 75% lard and 25% FO + LA (L-FO + LA group), or 50% lard and 50% FO + LA (M-FO + LA group), or FO + LA (H-FO + LA group). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed for 10 weeks and then killed for liver collection.ResultsIntake of high-fat lard caused a significant hepatic steatosis. Replacement with FO + LA was effective in reducing steatosis as well as total triglyceride and total cholesterol contents in liver. The combination of FO and LA also significantly elevated hepatic antioxidant defense capacities, as evaluated by the remarkable increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx as well as the level of GSH, and the significant decline in lipid peroxidation.ConclusionThe combination of FO and LA may contribute to prevent fatty livers such as NAFLD by ameliorating hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress.

A facile and efficient strategy for the fabrication of porous linseed gum/cellulose superabsorbent hydrogels for water conservation

The linseed gum/cellulose composite hydrogels were successfully fabricated by mixing cellulose and linseed gum solutions dissolved in the NaOH/urea aqueous system and cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. The morphology and structure of the composite hydrogels were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The swelling ratio and water retention properties were investigated. The results revealed that linseed gum mainly contributed to water adsorption, whereas the cellulose acted as a backbone to strengthen the porous structure. This work provided a simple way to prepare cellulose-based superabsorbent hydrogels, which could be potentially applied as an effective water conservation material in agriculture.

Chronic alpha-linolenic acid treatment alleviates age-associated neuropathology: Roles of PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway

Aging is a principal risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and especially shares similar pathologic mechanisms to Alzheimers disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques deposition and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the prominent age-dependent pathologies implicated in the cognitive deficits. Accumulation of mis-folded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum triggers a cellular stress response called the unfolded protein response (UPR), the activation of which is increased in AD patients. However, the UPR relates to the pathological hallmarks of aging is still elusive. In this study, we report that long-term supplement of α-linolenic acid (ALA), starting before the onset of disease symptoms (6month-old), prevents the age-related memory deficits during natural aging. The amelioration of the memory impairment is associated with a decrease in UPR related markers [glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α (eIF2α)]. ALA suppressed the PERK/eIF2α signaling, which may be responsible for multifaceted memory-deteriorating and neurodegenerative mechanisms, including inhibition of Aβ production by suppressing β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression, enhancement of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) function via down-regulating activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and suppression of Tau phosphorylation by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) pathway. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the link between ALA and PERK/eIF2α signaling, which could contribute to a better understanding of an ALA-mediated protective effect in aging-associated neuropathology.

Effects of flaxseed oil on anti-oxidative system and membrane deformation of human peripheral blood erythrocytes in high glucose level

BackgroundThe erythrocyte membrane lesion is a serious diabetic complication. A number of studies suggested that n-3 fatty acid could reduce lipid peroxidation and elevate α- or γ-tocopherol contents in membrane of erythrocytes. However, evidence regarding the protective effects of flaxseed oil, a natural product rich in n-3 fatty acid, on lipid peroxidation, antioxidative capacity and membrane deformation of erythrocytes exposed to high glucose is limited.MethodsHuman peripheral blood erythrocytes were isolated and treated with 50 mM glucose to mimic hyperglycemia in the absence or presence of three different doses of flaxseed oil (50, 100 or 200 μM) in the culture medium for 24 h. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and L-glutathione (GSH) were measured by HPLC and LC/MS respectively. The phospholipids symmetry and membrane fatty acid composition of human erythrocytes were detected by flow cytometry and gas chromatograph (GC). The morphology of human erythrocyte was illuminated by ultra scanning electron microscopy.ResultsFlaxseed oil attenuated hyperglycemia-induced increase of MDA and decrease of GSH in human erythrocytes. Human erythrocytes treated with flaxseed oil contained higher C22:5 and C22:6 than those in the 50 mM glucose control group, indicating that flaxseed oil could reduce lipid asymmetric distribution and membrane perturbation. The ultra scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometer have also indicated that flaxseed oil could protect the membrane of human erythrocytes from deformation at high glucose level.ConclusionThe flaxseed oil supplementation may prevent lipid peroxidation and membrane dysfunction of human erythrocytes in hyperglycemia.

Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction of Rapeseed Oil and Protein from Dehulled Cold-pressed Double-low Rapeseed Cake

Abstract The oil and protein of dehulled cold-pressed double-low rapeseed cake was extracted by an aqueous enzymatic process. The rapeseed cake was treated by the chosen combined enzymes of Viscozyme L and Alcalase 2.4L (VLA,1:1,w/w). Preliminary experiments and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used to study the effects of enzyme concentration, incubation time and water-to-cake ratio on the extraction yield of oil and protein. This is how the desirable conditions were obtained. Transmissive electron microscope photo showed that after cold-pressing the cell structure of rapeseed was partly damaged while dehulling had little effect on the cell structure of rapeseed. In RSM experiments water-to-cake ratio showed significant effects on the extraction of oil and protein (P<0.05),while incubation time only showed significant effects on protein yield (P<0.05).The desirable conditions were as follows: 1.0% concentration (w/w) of VLA; water-to-cake ratio(w/w),6:1; 80 min incubation time. Under this condition, the extraction yield of protein and oil were 82.10% and 71.89%, respectively. Through combining both the cold-press and the aqueous enzymatic processes together, the total oil yield reached 91.6%, which is higher than the normal cold-press process or the aqueous enzymatic extraction process alone.

A Combination of Flaxseed Oil and Astaxanthin Improves Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Reduces Oxidative Stress in High Fat-Diet Fed Rats

Hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress are crucial pathophysiological mechanisms for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, we examined the effect of a combination of flaxseed oil (FO) and astaxanthin (ASX) on hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in rats fed a high-fat diet. ASX was dissolved in flaxseed oil (1 g/kg; FO + ASX). Animals were fed diets containing 20% fat, where the source was lard, or 75% lard and 25% FO + ASX, or 50% lard and 50% FO + ASX, or FO + ASX, for 10 weeks. Substitution of lard with FO + ASX reduced steatosis and reduced hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol. The combination of FO and ASX significantly decreased hepatic sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase but increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor expression. FO + ASX significantly suppressed fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase but induced carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and acyl CoA oxidase expression. FO + ASX also significantly elevated hepatic SOD, CAT and GPx activity and GSH, and markedly reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation. Thus, FO and ASX may reduce NAFLD by reversing hepatic steatosis and reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress.

Effect of Flaxseed Oil Fortified with Vitamin E and Phytosterols on Antioxidant Defense Capacities and Lipids Profile in Rats

UNLABELLED The main proposal of this study was to evaluate in vivo whether flaxseed oils fortified with micronutrients would have beneficial effects on lipid profile and antioxidant status in high-fat fed rats. Male Wistar rats were fed synthetic diets containing 10% of flaxseed oil (FO), phytosterols (PS) fortified FO (PS-FO), vitamin E (V(E)) fortified FO (V(E)-FO), V(E) , and PS fortified FO (V(E)-PS-FO), respectively, for 4 wk. The results showed that V(E) fortified FO enhanced the enzymatic (SOD and GPX) and nonenzymatic (GSH and V(E)) antioxidant system, lowered the lipid peroxide (TBARS) concentration compared with FO (P < 0.05). And FO fortified with PS significantly reduced the plasma TG, TC and LDL-C levels, and hepatic TG and TC levels of rats compared with FO (P < 0.05), but had no significant effect on antioxidant defense capacities. Combined addition of V(E) and PS in FO had a synergetic effect. These results indicated that flaxseed oils fortified micronutrients V(E) and PS may contribute to reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by improving plasma antioxidant defenses and lipids profiles. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Flaxseed oil usually contains greater than 50% of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and is a desire origin for n-3 PUFA. But consuming high dose of n-3 PUFA could lead to oxidative damage through free radical-chain reaction in cellular and subcellular membranes. Our studies showed that a regular intake of V(E) and PS fortified flaxseed oils increased antioxidant defenses and ameliorated lipids profile in high-fat fed rats, and these indicated that the flaxseed oil fortified with these micronutrients might reduce the incidence of CVD.