BackgroundThe effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on cardiovascular risk factors considerably vary between published reports. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 12-week supplementation with flaxseed oil (FO), which is a rich source of ALA, on cardiovascular risk factors such as serum small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) concentrations.MethodsIn a randomized, double blind, crossover study, 15 subjects ingested 10 g of FO or corn oil (CO), containing 5.49 g and 0.09 g of ALA, respectively, once daily with dinner. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4 and 12 weeks, and were used for analysis of serum lipid, lipid-related proteins, serum fatty acids and serum sd-LDL cholesterol. Differences during the test period were identified using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for within-group effects. Group differences were identified using paired t-test at each blood sampling time point.ResultsALA and eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the FO period at 4 and 12 weeks than in the CO period. No significant differences in docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were observed between two periods, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein and apolipoprotein B concentrations were significantly lower in the FO period than in the CO period at 12 weeks. FO supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in sd-LDL concentrations at 4 and 12 weeks, and CO supplementation had no effect. Moreover, sd-LDL concentrations were significantly lower in the FO period than in the CO period at 4 weeks. Among subjects with triglyceride (TG) concentrations of >100 mg/dl, FO supplementation markedly reduced sd-LDL concentrations at 4 and 12 weeks compared with baseline. Sd-LDL concentrations significantly differed between the periods at both 4 and 12 weeks.ConclusionThis study indicates that the FO, which is a rich source of ALA, leads to lower sd-LDL cholesterol concentrations.

Long-term LES administration may be helpful in maintaining higher HRQOL in patients with cirrhosis.

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Nutrient transporters play significant roles in physiological hormonal and cellular functions as well as in the maintenance of nutrient metabolism. Lifestyle-related disease can be defined as caused by a disturbance in nutrient metabolism as found in diabetes, dyslipidemia, arteriosclerosis, etc. Therefore, deterioration of nutrient transporters by a genetic mutation or abnormal regulation would cause various lifestyle-related diseases. For instance, dysregulation of muscular glucose transport causes hyperglycemia, and impairment of pancreatic glucose transport can be related to inadequate insulin secretion. These deleterious changes in glucose transport can be a cause of diabetes mellitus. Here, we introduce some examples that indicate the relationship between impairment of nutrient transporters and development of lifestylerelated diseases.