The efficacy of Linum usitatissimum seeds to inhibit estrogen receptor as a natural therapy for PCOS: An in silico and in vitro analysis.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinological disorder aroused due to hormonal disturbances. It is characterized by anovulation due to an excess of androgen and estrogen hormones, thus leading to the formation of multiple cysts, imposing life-threatening conditions. This manuscript aimed to introduce a natural estrogen receptor (ESR) inhibitors that can provide protection against PCOS. The computational analysis of Linum usitatissimum seeds  compounds against ESR alpha receptor was performed, and the binding affinities of the ligand compounds and receptor proteins were scrutinized. Nine lignin compounds were docked, and the results were compared with that of reference estrogen receptor inhibitors, clomiphene, and tamoxifen. The binding affinity scores for pinoresinol, lariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol, and matairesinol were -10.67, -10.66, -10.91, and -10.60 kcal mol-1 , respectively. These were comparable to the binding affinity score of reference compounds -11.406 kcal mol-1 for clomiphene and -10.666 kcal mol-1 for tamoxifen. Prime MM-GBSA studies showcased that Linum usitatissimum seeds compounds exhibit significant efficacy and efficiency towards receptor protein. Moreover, MD-simulation studies were performed and the results depict that the lignin compounds form stable complexes at 300 K throughout the simulation time. For further clarity, in-vitro experiments were carried out. The results exhibit the decline in cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner by extract 1 (ethyl acetate) EX1 and extract 2 (petroleum ether) EX2. Hence, providing evidence regarding the anti-estrogenic activity of the sample extracts. Collectively, these results showed that flax seed can reduce the levels of estrogen, which can induce ovulation and prevent cyst formation, and ultimately can provide protection against PCOS.

Changes in microRNAs expression of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) planted in a cadmium-contaminated soil following the inoculation with root symbiotic fungi.

Cadmium is one of the most harmful heavy metals that harm agricultural products. Evaluating microRNAs expression is a new and accurate method to study plant response in various environmental conditions. So this study aimed to evaluate the contribution of two symbiotic fungi in improving flax tolerance in a Cd-polluted soil using microRNAs and their target gene expression. A factorial pot experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted with different levels of Cd (0, 20, and 40 mg kg-1) on non-inoculated and inoculated flax with Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Serendipita indica. The results presented that increasing Cd levels caused a constant decline of alkaline phosphatase of soil (from 243 to 210 and 153 µg PNP g-1 h-1), respectively, from control (Cd0) to 20 and 40 mg Cd kg-1. However, the inoculation of flax with fungi significantly enhanced these properties. A negative correlation was observed between the expression level of microRNA 167 and microRNA 398 with their corresponding target genes, auxin response factor 8 and superoxide dismutase zinc/copper 1, respectively. The expression level of both microRNAs and their targets indicated that the inoculation with symbiont fungi could diminish Cd stress and enhance the growth of flax.

Soil contamination with Cd affects plant growth.Root symbiotic fungi can improve plant growth in Cd-polluted soils.Examining microRNA expression is a new and accurate method to evaluate plant response to Cd pollution and symbiotic fungi.

Determination of Bioactive Compound Kynurenic Acid in Linum usitatissimum L.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a bioactive compound exhibiting multiple actions and positive effects on human health due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. KYNA has been found to have a beneficial effect on wound healing and the prevention of scarring. Despite notable progress in the research focused on KYNA observed during the last 10 years, KYNA's presence in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has not been proven to date. In the present study, parts of flax plants were analysed for KYNA synthesis. Moreover, eight different cultivars of flax seeds were tested for the presence of KYNA, resulting in a maximum of 0.432 µg/g FW in the seeds of the cultivar Jan. The level of KYNA was also tested in the stems and roots of two selected flax cultivars: an oily cultivar (Linola) and a fibrous cultivar (Nike). The exposure of plants to the KYNA precursors tryptophan and kynurenine resulted in higher levels of KYNA accumulation in flax shoots and roots. Thus, the obtained results indicate that KYNA might be synthesized in flax. The highest amount of KYNA (295.9 µg/g dry weight [DW]) was detected in flax roots derived from plants grown in tissue cultures supplemented with tryptophan. A spectroscopic analysis of KYNA was performed using the FTIR/ATR method. It was found that, in tested samples, the characteristic KYNA vibration bands overlap with the bands corresponding to the vibrations of biopolymers (especially pectin and cellulose) present in flax plants and fibres.

A comparative study on flaxseed lignan biotransformation through resting cell catalysis and microbial fermentation by ß-glucosidase production Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.

BACKGROUND: Flax lignan has attracted much attention because of its potential bioactivities. However, the bioavailability of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the main lignan in flaxseed, depends on the bioconversion by the colon bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with ß-glucosidase activity has found wide application in preparing bioactive aglycone. RESULTS: LAB strains with good ß-glucosidase activity were isolated from fermented tofu. Their bioconversion of flax lignan extract was investigated by resting cell catalysis and microbial fermentation, and the metabolism of SDG by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C5 following fermentation was characterized by widely targeted metabolomics. Five L. plantarum strains producing ß-glucosidase with broad substrate specificity were isolated and identified, and they all can transform SDG into secoisolariciresinol (SECO). L. plantarum C5 resting cell reached a maximum SDG conversion of 49.19 ± 3.75%, and SECO generation of 21.49 ± 1.32% (0.215 ± 0.013 mm) at an SDG substrate concentration of 1 mM and 0.477 ± 0.003 mm SECO was produced at 4 mm within 24 h. Although sixteen flax lignan metabolites were identified following the fermentation of SDG extract by L. plantarum C5, among them, four were produced following the fermentation: SECO, demethyl-SECO, demethyl-dehydroxy-SECO and isolariciresinol. Moreover, seven lignans increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Fermentation significantly increased the profile and level of flax lignan metabolites, and the resting cell catalysis benefits from higher bioconversion efficiency and more straightforward product separation. Resting cell catalysis and microbial fermentation of flax lignan extract by the isolated ß-glucosidase production L. plantarum could be potentially applied in preparing flax lignan ingredients and fermented flaxseed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-inflammatory effect of lignans from flaxseed after fermentation by lactiplantibacillus plantarum SCB0151 in vitro.

Lignan, a beneficial constituent of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) showed great interest in researchers because of its multiple functional properties. Nonetheless, a challenge arises due to the glycosidic structure of lignans, which the gut epithelium cannot readily absorb. Therefore, we screened 18 strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Enterococcus durans to remove glycosides from flaxseed lignan extract enzymatically. Among our findings, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SCB0151 showed the highest activity of ß-glucosidase (8.91 ± 0.04 U/mL) and higher transformed efficiency of Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) (8.21 ± 0.13%). The conversion rate of Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and the generation rate of SECO was 58.30 ± 3.78% and 32.13 ± 2.78%, respectively, under the optimized conditions. According to the LC-HRMSMS analysis, SECO (68.55 ± 6.57 µM), Ferulic acid (FA) (32.12 ± 2.50 µM), and Coumaric acid (CA) (79.60 ± 6.21 µM) were identified in the biotransformation products (TP) of flaxseed lignan extract. Results revealed that the TP exhibited a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect than the flaxseed lignan extract. SECO, FA, and CA demonstrated a more inhibitory effect on NO than that of SDG. The expression of iNOS and COX-2 was significantly suppressed by TP treatment in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells. The secretion of IL-6, IL-2, and IL-1ß decreased by 87.09 ± 0.99%, 45.40 ± 0.87%, and 53.18 ± 0.83%, respectively, at 60 µg/mL of TP treatment. Given these data, the bioavailability of flaxseed lignan extract and its anti-inflammatory effect were significantly enhanced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SCB0151, which provided a novel approach to commercializing flaxseed lignan extract for functional food.

Availability of bioactive flax lignan from foods and supplements.

Hyperlipidemia, high levels of blood lipids including cholesterol and triglycerides, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Traditional treatments of hyperlipidemia often include lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy. Recently, flaxseed has been approved as a nutrient that lowers blood lipids. Several metabolites of flaxseed lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), have been identified that reduce blood lipids. SDG is present in flaxseed hull as an ester-linked copolymer with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMGA). However, purification processes involved in hydrolysis of the copolymer and enriching SDG are often expensive. The natural copolymer of SDG with HMGA (SDG polymer) is a source of bioactive compounds useful in prophylaxis of hypercholesterolemia. After consumption of the lignan copolymer, SDG and HMGA are released in the stomach and small intestines. SDG is metabolized to secoisolariciresinol, enterolactone and enterodiol, the bioactive forms of mammalian lignans. These metabolites are then distributed throughout the body where they accumulate in the liver, kidney, skin, other tissues, and organs. Successively, these metabolites reduce blood lipids including cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation products. In this review, the metabolism and efficacies of flaxseed-derived enriched SDG and SDG polymer will be discussed.

Dietary flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil supplementation affects growth, oxidative stress, immune response, and diseases resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchusmykiss).

This paper describes the effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil (FSO) as a feed additive on growth performance, oxidative stress, immunity, and disease resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Eight-hundred-and-forty rainbow trout individuals (mean weight: 25.66 ± 1.33 g) were fed with different doses of FSO (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) ad libitum two times a day for 9 weeks. At the end of the feeding, growth performance was evaluated and the fish were challenged with two different bacteria (Yersinia ruckeri and Aeromonas hydrophila). At the end of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks, blood and tissue samples were taken from 9 fish per treatment to evaluate innate immune response, cytokine gene expression levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels, and digestive enzyme activities. Determination of haematological parameters and histological examination was also carried out to evaluate the general health status of the fish. Results showed that the final weight and specific growth rate of FSO-supplemented fish increased significantly (p < 0.05). FSO-supplemented fish showed higher resistance to Y. ruckeri than the control group (p < 0.05). However, survival rates of all groups in A. hydrophila challenge test were similar (p > 0.05). Among the investigated innate immune response parameters, the potential killing activity of phagocytes, myeloperoxidase activity, and lysozyme activity increased in the FSO-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Almost all cytokine gene expression levels in the experimental groups up-regulated especially after 9 weeks of feeding in the head kidney and intestine (p < 0.05). Similarly, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were found to be significantly higher in the FSO group than in the control (p < 0.05) whereas, the lipid peroxidation levels drastically declined as a result of the FSO supplementation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that FSO can improve growth, enhance immune response, and lower oxidative damage in rainbow trout when supplemented at the rates of 0.5-1.5% for 9 weeks.

Key FAD2, FAD3, and SAD Genes Involved in the Fatty Acid Synthesis in Flax Identified Based on Genomic and Transcriptomic Data.

FAD (fatty acid desaturase) and SAD (stearoyl-ACP desaturase) genes play key roles in the synthesis of fatty acids (FA) and determination of oil composition in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). We searched for FAD and SAD genes in the most widely used flax genome of the variety CDC Bethune and three available long-read assembled flax genomes-YY5, 3896, and Atlant. We identified fifteen FAD2, six FAD3, and four SAD genes. Of all the identified genes, 24 were present in duplicated pairs. In most cases, two genes from a pair differed by a significant number of gene-specific SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) or even InDels (insertions/deletions), except for FAD2a-1 and FAD2a-2, where only seven SNPs distinguished these genes. Errors were detected in the FAD2a-1, FAD2a-2, FAD3c-1, and FAD3d-2 sequences in the CDC Bethune genome assembly but not in the long-read genome assemblies. Expression analysis of the available transcriptomic data for different flax organs/tissues revealed that FAD2a-1, FAD2a-2, FAD3a, FAD3b, SAD3-1, and SAD3-2 were specifically expressed in embryos/seeds/capsules and could play a crucial role in the synthesis of FA in flax seeds. In contrast, FAD2b-1, FAD2b-2, SAD2-1, and SAD2-2 were highly expressed in all analyzed organs/tissues and could be involved in FA synthesis in whole flax plants. FAD2c-2, FAD2d-1, FAD3c-1, FAD3c-2, FAD3d-1, FAD3d-2, SAD3-1, and SAD3-2 showed differential expression under stress conditions-Fusarium oxysporum infection and drought. The obtained results are essential for research on molecular mechanisms of fatty acid synthesis, FAD and SAD editing, and marker-assisted and genomic selection for breeding flax varieties with a determined fatty acid composition of oil.

The Genetic Dissection of Nitrogen Use-Related Traits in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) at the Seedling Stage through the Integration of Multi-Locus GWAS, RNA-seq and Genomic Selection.

Nitrogen (N), the most important macro-nutrient for plant growth and development, is a key factor that determines crop yield. Yet its excessive applications pollute the environment and are expensive. Hence, studying nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops is fundamental for sustainable agriculture. Here, an association panel consisting of 123 flax accessions was evaluated for 21 NUE-related traits at the seedling stage under optimum N (N+) and N deficiency (N-) treatments to dissect the genetic architecture of NUE-related traits using a multi-omics approach integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptome analysis and genomic selection (GS). Root traits exhibited significant and positive correlations with NUE under N- conditions (r = 0.33 to 0.43, p < 0.05). A total of 359 QTLs were identified, accounting for 0.11% to 23.1% of the phenotypic variation in NUE-related traits. Transcriptomic analysis identified 1034 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under contrasting N conditions. DEGs involved in N metabolism, root development, amino acid transport and catabolism and others, were found near the QTLs. GS models to predict NUE stress tolerance index (NUE_STI) trait were tested using a random genome-wide SNP dataset and a GWAS-derived QTLs dataset. The latter produced superior prediction accuracy (r = 0.62 to 0.79) compared to the genome-wide SNP marker dataset (r = 0.11) for NUE_STI. Our results provide insights into the QTL architecture of NUE-related traits, identify candidate genes for further studies, and propose genomic breeding tools to achieve superior NUE in flax under low N input.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Growth-Regulating Factor (GRF) Transcription Factors.

Flax is an important cash crop globally with a variety of commercial uses. It has been widely used for fiber, oil, nutrition, feed and in composite materials. Growth regulatory factor (GRF) is a transcription factor family unique to plants, and is involved in regulating many processes of growth and development. Bioinformatics analysis of the GRF family in flax predicted 17 LuGRF genes, which all contained the characteristic QLQ and WRC domains. Equally, 15 of 17 LuGRFs (88%) are predicted to be regulated by lus-miR396 miRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of GRFs from flax and several other well-characterized species defined five clades; LuGRF genes were found in four clades. Most LuGRF gene promoters contained cis-regulatory elements known to be responsive to hormones and stress. The chromosomal locations and collinearity of LuGRF genes were also analyzed. The three-dimensional structure of LuGRF proteins was predicted using homology modeling. The transcript expression data indicated that most LuGRF family members were highly expressed in flax fruit and embryos, whereas LuGRF3, LuGRF12 and LuGRF16 were enriched in response to salt stress. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that both LuGRF1 and LuGRF11 were up-regulated under ABA and MeJA stimuli, indicating that these genes were involved in defense. LuGRF1 was demonstrated to be localized to the nucleus as expected for a transcription factor. These results provide a basis for further exploration of the molecular mechanism of LuGRF gene function and obtaining improved flax breeding lines.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Auxin Response Factor Gene Family in Linum usitatissimum.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are critical components of the auxin signaling pathway, and are involved in diverse plant biological processes. However, ARF genes have not been investigated in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), an important oilseed and fiber crop. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the ARF gene family and identified 33 LuARF genes unevenly distributed on the 13 chromosomes of Longya-10, an oil-use flax variety. Detailed analysis revealed wide variation among the ARF family members and predicted nuclear localization for all proteins. Nineteen LuARFs contained a complete ARF structure, including DBD, MR, and CTD, whereas the other fourteen lacked the CTD. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the LuARFs into four (I-V) clades. Combined with sequence analysis, the LuARFs from the same clade showed structural conservation, implying functional redundancy. Duplication analysis identified twenty-seven whole-genome-duplicated LuARF genes and four tandem-duplicated LuARF genes. These duplicated gene pairs' Ka/Ks ratios suggested a strong purifying selection pressure on the LuARF genes. Collinearity analysis revealed that about half of the LuARF genes had homologs in other species, indicating a relatively conserved nature of the ARFs. The promoter analysis identified numerous hormone- and stress-related elements, and the qRT-PCR experiment revealed that all LuARF genes were responsive to phytohormone (IAA, GA3, and NAA) and stress (PEG, NaCl, cold, and heat) treatments. Finally, expression profiling of LuARF genes in different tissues by qRT-PCR indicated their specific functions in stem or capsule growth. Thus, our findings suggest the potential functions of LuARFs in flax growth and response to an exogenous stimulus, providing a basis for further functional studies on these genes.

Linum corymbulosum Protects Rats against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Injuries through Modulation of an Unfolded Protein Response Pathway and Pro-Inflammatory Intermediates.

Liver fibrosis is a major pathological feature of chronic liver disease and effective therapies are limited at present. The present study focuses on the hepatoprotective potential of L. corymbulosum against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. Analysis of Linum corymbulosum methanol extract (LCM) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of rutin, apigenin, catechin, caffeic acid and myricetin. CCl4 administration lowered (p < 0.01) the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione (GSH) content as well as soluble proteins, whereas the concentration of H2O2, nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was higher in hepatic samples. In serum, the level of hepatic markers and total bilirubin was elevated followed by CCl4 administration. The expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), x-box binding protein-1 total (XBP-1 t), x-box binding protein-1 spliced (XBP-1 s), x-box binding protein-1 unspliced (XBP-1 u) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) was enhanced in CCl4-administered rats. Similarly, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was strongly increased with CCl4 administration to rats. Co-administration of LCM along with CCl4 to rats lowered (p < 0.05) the expression of the above genes. Histopathology of the liver showed hepatocyte injury, leukocyte infiltration and damaged central lobules in CCl4-treated rats. However, LCM administration to CCl4-intoxicated rats restored the altered parameters towards the levels of control rats. These outcomes indicate the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents in the methanol extract of L. corymbulosum.

Dephytinized flaxseed flours by phytase enzyme and fermentation: functional ingredients to enhance the nutritional quality of noodles.

BACKGROUND: Phytic acid is an antinutritional compound that reduces the bioavailability of minerals and proteins. Flaxseed is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. In this study, flaxseed flour was dephytinized by phytase enzyme and fermentation. Untreated and dephytinized flaxseed flours were used in noodle production at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% levels to improve nutritional quality. RESULTS: The addition of flaxseed flours did not show an adverse effect on the cooking loss values of noodles (4.22-4.85%). Firmness values of noodles containing 10% flaxseed flour were close to the control (0% flaxseed flour). The ash, protein and fat levels of noodles were enhanced with the addition of flaxseed flours. The use of 30% phytase-treated flaxseed flour in noodles elicited lower phytic acid concentration (1.35 g kg-1 ) than the control (1.52 g kg-1 ). The greatest total phenolic contents in noodles were obtained with the inclusion of fermented flour. Besides that, noodles made from flaxseed flours exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than the control. The overall acceptability scores of noodles containing 10% and 20% dephytinized flours were close to the control. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated that the inclusion of dephytinized flaxseed flours up to 20% can allow the production of functional noodles with acceptable quality. Moreover, phytase enzyme treatment method revealed lower phytic acid content than fermentation method in noodles and better antioxidant properties than untreated noodles. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of dietary flaxseed meal supplemented with dried tomato and grape pomace on performance traits and antioxidant status of laying hens.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of dietary flaxseed meal (FSM) supplemented with dried tomato pomace (DTP) and dried grape pomace (DGP) on performance, egg quality, biochemical parameters traits and antioxidant status of laying hens. Birds (1825 ± 87 g of body weight) were divided into 12 dietary groups with six replicates per group (eight birds per replicate), under a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 2 × 3 × 2 consisted of two levels of DTP (0 and 15%), three FSM levels (0, 4 and 8%) and two levels of DGP (0 and 5%). As a result of this study, there were no significant differences in egg production and weight as well in feed conversion ratio (FCR) among treatments (p > 0.05). Feeding of DGP reduced significantly feed intake and egg mass when compared to control group (p < 0.05). There was no effect (p > 0.05) of dietary treatment on shell thickness and strength, shape index, Haugh unit and egg specific gravity. Hens consuming 15% DTP and 5% DGP revealed a significantly higher yolk color compared to the other dietary treatments (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was no difference among dietary treatments in terms of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol, atherogenic index, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Serum antioxidant parameters as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were not influenced by treatments (p > 0.05). Based on findings, FSM and DTP supplements did not significantly impact most of hens' performance indicators and egg quality parameters, whereas significant improvements were observed by feeding of 15% DTP and 5% DGP on egg traits, in particular on egg-yolk color that plays a key-role in consumer's choice. However, the supplementation of FSM and DTP or DGP even in laying hen diet is still controversial and further research is needed.

Synergistic hepatoprotective effects of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids from Indian flax and sesame seed oils against CCl4-induced oxidative stress-mediated liver damage in rats.

Flaxseed (FS) and sesame seed (SS) are traditional and functional foods in traditional Indian medicine for treating various disorders. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of bioactive-fatty acids (FAs) from FS and SS against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. Pre and post-treatments for 28 consecutive days significantly increased the activities of in vivo antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POX), whereas, lipid peroxidation (LPO) activity was markedly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in liver and kidneys. A significant reduction was observed in the hematological parameters like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin in the serum of post-treated animals compared to the negative control. The results were confirmed histopathologically. The results suggested that the ω-3 and ω-6 FAs from flaxseed oil (FSO) and sesame seed oil (SSO), respectively, showed potential synergistic hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects that were mediated mainly by ω-3 and ω-6 FAs present in the respective seed oils.

Acute effect of flaxseed-enriched snack bars on glycemic responses and satiety in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) have garnered scholarly attention for their roles in weight management and glycemic control. Flaxseed is a good source of fiber, lignans, and omega-3 fatty acids. This study evaluated healthy individuals' acute glycemic response and satiety following the consumption of flaxseed-enriched snack bars. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen healthy men and women consumed flaxseed bars or a glucose solution containing 50 g of available carbohydrates. Capillary blood glucose concentrations were obtained through the finger-prick test. The GI and GL values of the flaxseed bars were calculated using incremental area under the glucose response curve. Over 2 h, subjective satiety was examined at 0 (fasting), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min following the consumption of flaxseed bars or saltine crackers containing 300 kcal by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Compared with that of the glucose solution, the glucose concentrations of the flaxseed bars (15-90 min) were significantly lower (p<0.001). The GI and GL values of the flaxseed bars were 30.0±23.0 and 2.3±0.2, respectively. Compared with saltine cracker consumption, flaxseed bars consumption resulted in lower hunger and higher satiety. The satiety index score of the flaxseed bars was 1.6 times higher than that of the saltine crackers. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term effects of flaxseed-enriched snacks on glycemia and energy balance, our findings suggest that the incorporation of flaxseed into snack bars is a viable strategy for the management of obesity and diabetes.

Genetic Determinants of Fiber-Associated Traits in Flax Identified by Omics Data Integration.

In this paper, we explore potential genetic factors in control of flax phenotypes associated with fiber by mining a collection of 306 flax accessions from the Federal Research Centre of the Bast Fiber Crops, Torzhok, Russia. In total, 11 traits were assessed in the course of 3 successive years. A genome-wide association study was performed for each phenotype independently using six different single-locus models implemented in the GAPIT3 R package. Moreover, we applied a multivariate linear mixed model implemented in the GEMMA package to account for trait correlations and potential pleiotropic effects of polymorphisms. The analyses revealed a number of genomic variants associated with different fiber traits, implying the complex and polygenic control. All stable variants demonstrate a statistically significant allelic effect across all 3 years of the experiment. We tested the validity of the predicted variants using gene expression data available for the flax fiber studies. The results shed new light on the processes and pathways associated with the complex fiber traits, while the pinpointed candidate genes may be further used for marker-assisted selection.

Dietary Modulation of the Human Gut Microbiota and Metabolome with Flaxseed Preparations.

Flaxseeds are typically consumed either as whole flaxseed, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, partially defatted flaxseed meal, or as a milk alternative. They are considered a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins and peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, lignans, and dietary fiber, which have shown hypolipidemic, antiatherogenic, anticholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory property activity. Here, an in vitro batch culture model was used to investigate the influence of whole milled flaxseed and partially defatted milled flaxseed press cake on the gut microbiota and the liberation of flaxseed bioactives. Microbial communities were profiled using 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing with targeted mass spectrometry measuring lignan, cyclolinopeptide, and bile acid content and HPLC for short-chain fatty acid profiles. Flaxseed supplementation decreased gut microbiota richness with Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes becoming the predominant phyla. Secoisolariciresinol, enterodiol, and enterolactone were rapidly produced with acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid being the predominant acids after 24 h of fermentation. The flaxseed press cake and whole flaxseed were equivalent in microbiota changes and functionality. However, press cake may be superior as a functional additive in a variety of foods in terms of consumer acceptance as it would be more resistant to oxidative changes.

Anti-Melanogenesis Effects of a Cyclic Peptide Derived from Flaxseed via Inhibition of CREB Pathway.

Linosorbs (Los) are cyclic peptides from flaxseed oil composed of the LO mixture (LOMIX). The activity of LO has been reported as being anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. However, the study of skin protection has still not proceeded. In particular, there are poorly understood mechanisms of melanogenesis to LO. Therefore, we investigated the anti-melanogenesis effects of LOMIX and LO, and its activity was examined in mouse melanoma cell lines. The treatment of LOMIX (50 and 100 µg/mL) and LO (6.25-50 µM) suppressed melanin secretion and synthesis, which were 3-fold increased, in a dose-dependent manner, up to 95%. In particular, [1-9-NαC]-linusorb B3 (LO1) and [1-9-NαC]-linusorb B2 (LO2) treatment (12.5 and 25 µM) highly suppressed the synthesis of melanin in B16F10 cell lines up to 90%, without toxicity. LOMIX and LOs decreased the 2- or 3-fold increased mRNA levels, including the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) at the highest concentration (25 µM). Moreover, the treatment of 25 µM LO1 and LO2 inhibited the expression of MITF and phosphorylation of upper regulatory proteins such as CREB and PKA. Taken together, these results suggested that LOMIX and its individual LO could inhibit melanin synthesis via downregulating the CREB-dependent signaling pathways, and it could be used for novel therapeutic materials in hyperpigmentation.

Metabolomics and Proteomics Characterizing Hepatic Reactions to Dietary Linseed Oil in Duck.

The imbalance in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition in human food is ubiquitous and closely related to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The development of n-3 PUFA-enriched poultry products is of great significance for optimizing fatty acid composition. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the effects of dietary linseed oil on hepatic metabolism using untargeted metabolomics and 4D label-free proteome analysis. A total of 91 metabolites and 63 proteins showed differences in abundance in duck livers between the high linseed oil and control groups. Pathway analysis revealed that the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, glycerophospholipid, and pyrimidine metabolisms were significantly enriched in ducks fed with linseed oil. Meanwhile, dietary linseed oil changed liver fatty acid composition, which was reflected in the increase in the abundance of downstream metabolites, such as α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) as a substrate, including n-3 PUFA and its related glycerophospholipids, and a decrease in downstream n-6 PUFA synthesis using linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) as a substrate. Moreover, the anabolism of PUFA in duck livers showed substrate-dependent effects, and the expression of related proteins in the process of fatty acid anabolism, such as FADS2, LPIN2, and PLA2G4A, were significantly regulated by linseed oil. Collectively, our work highlights the ALA substrate dependence during n-3 PUFA synthesis in duck livers. The present study expands our knowledge of the process products of PUFA metabolism and provides some potential biomarkers for liver health.