Flaxseed supplementation of rats during lactation changes the adiposity and glucose homeostasis of their offspring

Abstract

Maternal intake of flaxseed in the diet during lactation produces early insulin sensitivity and hyperleptinemia; these hormonal imprinting factors could program for selective insulin resistance, since the higher insulin serum concentration was not associated with higher adiposity. These findings, associated with lower serum adiponectin concentration in adulthood, could indicate an increased risk for later development of diabetes mellitus.

Maternal exposure to diets containing flaxseed flour or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation protects the aortic remodeling in adult male offspring of diabetic rat dams

“…Blondeau et al observed that in utero exposure to STZ‐induced diabetes in Sprague–Dawley rats did not alter total cholesterol and HDL‐c levels at 3 months of life; however, the levels of triglycerides were smaller in comparison to the same levels in the control group. Another study evaluating the maternal ingestion of a diet containing flaxseed flour during lactation concluded that it did not reduce serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in male adult offspring . Yu et al showed that long‐term intake, from gestation until after the weaning phase, of a diet rich in flaxseed oil did not alter serum concentration levels in animals in terms of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL‐c, HDL‐c and VLDL‐c when compared them to the control group and to animals that received a diet rich in lard.…”

Maternal cinnamon extract intake during lactation leads to sex‐specific endocrine modifications in rat offspring

“…The extract was analyzed via high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection on the basis of UV spectra and using (+)‐electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and (–)‐ESI‐MS, as described previously . The major peak obtained was characteristic of cinnamaldehyde, a frequent component found in the Cinnamomum genus and established as the fingerprint for the cinnamon extract used in this study . In addition to cinnamaldehyde, the extract contained other compounds, such as cinnamic acid, gluconic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid.…”

“…Thus, the suckling period has a high impact on ontogenetic plasticity, affecting the regulatory circuits of energy metabolism . Notably, the incorporation of functional foods in maternal nutrition during lactation can lead to changes in health in the long‐term and promote metabolic disturbances of the offspring . For example, flaxseed, which is known for its health benefits, in particular cardiovascular parameters, when supplemented during pregnancy and lactation in diabetic dams, protects the aortic remodeling in adult male offspring .…”

“…For example, flaxseed, which is known for its health benefits, in particular cardiovascular parameters, when supplemented during pregnancy and lactation in diabetic dams, protects the aortic remodeling in adult male offspring . However, flaxseed also results in lower thyroid hormone serum concentrations and higher insulinemia in male adult offspring when incorporated into the diet of health dams during lactation.…”

Effects of flaxseed on rat milk creamatocrit and its contribution to offspring body growth

“…Ao mesmo tempo, alguns estudos destacam as propriedades funcionais da semente de linhaça (Linum usitatissimum), a qual é uma excelente fonte de proteína, fibras e ácido graxo alfalinolênico (ALA) (n-3), apresentando, em sua composição, de 32 a 45% de lipídios, dos quais 51 a 55% são desse ácido graxo 3,4 . Tal composto exerce efeitos protetores contra doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, decorrentes de sua atividade antioxidante, antiinflamatória, anticancerígena, dentre outros 5 .…”