The Alpha Linolenic Acid Content of Flaxseed is Associated with an Induction of Adipose Leptin Expression

Abstract

Dietary flaxseed has cardioprotective effects that may be achieved through its rich content of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Because ALA can be stored in adipose tissue, it is possible that some of its beneficial actions may be due to effects it has on the adipose tissue. We investigated the effects of dietary flaxseed both with and without an atherogenic cholesterol-enriched diet to determine the effects of dietary flaxseed on the expression of the adipose cytokines leptin and adiponectin. Rabbits were fed one of four diets: a regular (RG) diet, or a regular diet with added 0.5% cholesterol (CH), or 10% ground flaxseed (FX), or both (CF) for 8 weeks. Levels of leptin and adiponectin expression were assessed by RT-PCR in visceral adipose tissue. Consumption of flaxseed significantly increased plasma and adipose levels of ALA. Leptin protein and mRNA expression were lower in CH animals and were elevated in CF animals. Changes in leptin expression were strongly and positively correlated with adipose ALA levels and inversely correlated with levels of en face atherosclerosis. Adiponectin expression was not significantly affected by any of the dietary interventions. Our data demonstrate that the type of fat in the diet as well as its caloric content can specifically influence leptin expression. The findings support the hypothesis that the beneficial cardiovascular effects associated with flaxseed consumption may be related to a change in leptin expression.

Role of Flaxseed Meal Feeding for Different Durations in the Lipid Deposition and Meat Quality in Broiler Chickens

“…The lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, resulted in broiler chicken meat due to the feeding of 100 g FSM, were reported to have protective action against coronary heart diseases (Usoro et al, ). Furthermore, it was reported that 100 g flaxseed feeding elevates the leptin protein levels in animals and the increase in leptin expression was strongly and positively correlated with adipose ALA levels (McCullough et al, ) and hence inversely correlated with risk of atherosclerosis (Goyal et al, ). Similar to this study, it has been reported that the decrease of C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 fatty acids caused a consequent reduction of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices in milk of ewes subjected to flaxseed supplementation (Caroprese et al, ).…”

Oilseeds ameliorate metabolic parameters in male mice, while contained lignans inhibit 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation in vitro

“…However, the effects of oilseed on the metabolic parameters analyzed are not uniform in the literature. In a work performed in rabbits [53] reported a flaxseeddependent induction of leptin, which positively correlated with levels of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and inversely with atherosclerosis. These apparently contrasting associations underline the need for further research on the effects of dietary oilseeds on metabolic regulation.…”

“…Although these in vitro data support a role of the lignans in producing the effects observed in vivo, beyond the lignans, sesame and flaxseed contain consistent amounts of fibers, heterogeneous chemicals and functional compounds that may have contributed to the effects observed in vivo. The omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, is the most abundant fatty acid in flaxseed, and it is known to play a role in the regulation of leptin blood levels [53].…”

Salicylic acid‐enhanced biosynthesis of pharmacologically important lignans and neo lignans in cell suspension culture of Linum ussitatsimum L

“…It is one of the oldest cultivated species with great number of health and industrial applications . Besides its medicinal applications, it is also used in production of dairy goods, salads, and drinks . Flax has also been used for decades in traditional therapies to treat pulmonary complications, boost stamina and memory .…”