In utero and postnatal exposure to Foeniculum vulgare and Linum usitatissimum seed extracts: modifications of key enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and estrogen receptors expression in the offspring's ovaries of NMRI mice.

BACKGROUND: Early-life exposure to exogenous estrogens such as phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogens) could affect later health through epigenetic modifications. Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Linum usitatissimum (flax) are two common medicinal plants with high phytoestrogen content. Considering the developmental epigenetic programming effect of phytoestrogens, the main goal of the present study was to evaluate the perinatal exposure with life-long exposure to hydroalcoholic extracts of both plants on offspring's ovarian epigenetic changes and estrogen receptors (ESRs) expression level as signaling cascades triggers of phytoestrogens. METHODS: Pregnant mice were randomly divided into control (CTL) that received no treatment and extract-treated groups that received 500 mg/kg/day of fennel (FV) and flaxseed (FX) alone or in combination (FV + FX) during gestation and lactation. At weaning, female offspring exposed to extracts prenatally remained on the maternal-doses diets until puberty. Then, the ovaries were collected for morphometric studies and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS: A reduction in mRNA transcripts of the epigenetic modifying enzymes DNMTs and HDACs as well as estrogen receptors was observed in the FV and FX groups compared to the CTL group. Interestingly, an increase in ESRα/ESRß ratio along with HDAC2 overexpression was observed in the FV + FX group. CONCLUSION: Our findings clearly show a positive relationship between pre and postnatal exposure to fennel and flaxseed extracts, ovarian epigenetic changes, and estrogen receptors expression, which may affect the estrogen signaling pathway. However, due to the high phytoestrogen contents of these extracts, the use of these plants in humans requires more detailed investigations.

Association Between the Seed Storage Proteins 2S Albumin and 11S Globulin and Severe Allergic Reaction After Flaxseed Intake.

BACKGROUND: Given the increased popularity of flaxseed in meals, several cases of allergy to these seeds have been reported. Little is known about the allergens implicated in hypersensitivity reactions to flaxseed. The present study aimed to identify the allergens involved in IgE-mediated reactions in 5 patients with a clinical history of severe systemic symptoms after flaxseed consumption. METHODS: Proteins that were potential allergens with IgE-binding capacity were purified from flaxseed extract using chromatography and identified via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Immunoassays were performed using the 5 allergic patients' sera tested individually and as a pool. RESULTS: Immunoblotting of the flaxseed extract revealed a low-molecular-mass protein (around 13 kDa) in 4 of the 5 patients, while a protein of approximately 55 kDa was detected in 2 patients. The proteins were identified by mass spectrometry as flaxseed 2S albumin, which is included in the WHO/IUIS allergen nomenclature as Lin u 1, and 11S globulin. Inhibition assays revealed in vitro IgE-mediated cross-reactivity between Lin u 1 and peanut and cashew nut proteins, while IgE-mediated recognition of 11S globulin by patients' sera was partially inhibited by several plant-derived sources. CONCLUSIONS: Seed storage proteins from flaxseed were involved in the development of severe symptoms in the 5 patients studied and exhibited cross-reactivity with other allergenic sources. Besides the severity of flaxseed allergy in patients sensitized to 2S albumin, this is the first time that 11S globulin has been identified as a potential allergen. Taking these data into account should ensure a more accurate diagnosis.

Influence of prolonged flaxseed ( Linum usitatissimum ) consumption over epididymis and testicle histoarchitecture of Wistar rats / Influência do consumo prolongado de semente de linhaça ( Linum usitatissimum ) sobre a histoarquitetura dos testículo e epidídimo de ratos Wistar

Flaxseed is considered a functional food with several health benefits. However, because of its high phytoestrogen content, flaxseed influences hormone metabolism and affects the gonadal biomorphology. In this study, computerized histomorphometry was used to evaluate seminiferous and epididymal tubules, considering the different regions of the epididymis (head, body and tail) of rats subjected to a prolonged diet of flaxseed. Young adult male Wistar rats (n=20) were divided into 2 groups during their lactation period: Control Group (CG), fed casein-based meals and Flaxseed Group (FG), fed a 25% flaxseed meal. After 250 days of continuous ingestion, the animals were euthanized and a blood sample was collected. The testicles and epididymis were removed and fixed in buffered formalin solution. The samples were subjected to routine histological paraffin techniques and stained with hematoxilin and eosin. Immunostaining was performed using an antivimentin antibody for Sertoli cell identification. For morphometry, images of the slides were scanned and analyzed using Image J to determine the epithelial height, tubular and luminal diameter and tubular and luminal area. In the hormonal evaluation, FG had a higher serum concentration of estrogen (P=0.001), but no change was observed in the concentration of testosterone. The morphometric assay of seminiferous tubules and epididymal regions revealed no significant differences between the analyzed groups. Similarly, Sertoli cell quantification showed no significant differences in the FG (P=0.98). These results revealed that the continuous and prolonged intake of 25% flaxseed meals from gestation to 250 days of age, even with a significant increase in serum levels of estradiol, does not exert adverse effects on the testicular and epididymal structure or on the cells participating in the spermatogenesis of rats.(AU)

A semente de linhaça é considerada um alimento funcional com vários efeitos benéficos à saúde. Entretanto, devido ao seu elevado teor de fitoestrógenos, esta semente pode influenciar no metabolismo hormonal e interferir na biomorfologia gonadal. Neste estudo, utilizamos a histomorfometria computadorizada para avaliar os túbulos seminíferos e epididimários, considerando as diferentes regiões do epidídimo (cabeça, corpo e cauda) de ratos submetidos a uma dieta prolongada de semente de linhaça. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos adultos jovens (n=20) divididos em 2 grupos, durante o período de lactação: Grupo Controle (GC) a base de caseína e Grupo Linhaça (GL) alimentados com 25% de semente de linhaça. Ao final de 250 dias de ingestão contínua, os animais foram sacrificados e amostra de sangue foi coletada. Os testículos e epidídimos foram retirados e fixados em formol tamponado. As amostras foram submetidas ao processamento histológico de rotina para parafina e coradas em hematoxilina e eosina. Foi feita a imunomarcação com anticorpo antivimentina para identificação das células de Sertoli. Para morfometria, as imagens das lâminas foram digitalizadas e analisadas pelo software ImageJ para obtenção dos dados de altura epitelial, diâmetro e área tubular e luminal. Na avaliação hormonal o GL teve maior concentração de estrógeno sérico (p=0,001), mas nenhuma mudança na concentração de testosterona foi observada. Nos parâmetros morfométricos dos túbulos seminíferos e das regiões epididimárias, não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos analisados. Da mesma forma, a quantificação das células de Sertoli não apresentaram diferenças significativas no GL (p=0,98). Estes resultados mostraram que o consumo contínuo e prolongado de 25% de semente de linhaça desde período gestacional até 250 dias de idade, mesmo com o aumento significativo nos níveis séricos de estradiol, não exerceram efeitos adversos sobre a estrutura testicular e epididimária, assim como nas células participantes da espermatogênese em ratos.(AU)

A Review of the Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Implications of Naturally Derived Dietary Supplements for Dyslipidemia.

Dyslipidemia is recognized as a major cause of cardiovascular disease. A number of evidence-based guidelines recommend conventional synthetic drugs as standard therapy for dyslipidemia in clinical practice. However, antihyperlipidemic drugs have some serious side effects. Naturally derived dietary supplements are becoming attractive as an alternative strategy because of their high efficacy and safety, as supported by numerous data. Moreover, they could be considered an initial treatment for dyslipidemia. The aims of this literature review were to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and clinical implications of dietary supplements for treating dyslipidemia. We reviewed the literature, including data from in vitro, in vivo, and human studies, and clinical guideline recommendations. We classified dietary supplements by their proposed mechanisms of action on lipid metabolism and also collected daily dosage recommendations, interactions with concurrent drugs and/or foods, dosage forms, and examples of commercially available products. Various types of naturally derived dietary supplements exhibit lipid-improving properties. Efficacy and safety are acceptable; however, their use in clinical practice will require further well-designed investigations and the support of scientific data.

Effect of including whole linseed and vitamin E in the diet of young bulls slaughtered at two fat covers on the sensory quality of beef packaged in two different packaging systems.

BACKGROUND: Forty-six Pirenaica young bulls, slaughtered at two levels of fatness (3 and 4 mm), were used to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of 50 g kg-1 linseed alone or with 200 IU vitamin E kg-1 in the concentrate and of the meat packaging system (vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)) on the beef sensory quality. RESULTS: The inclusion of linseed or supplementation with vitamin E in the concentrate induced no significant differences in the main meat sensory scores and overall appraisal except under MAP, where small differences due to concentrate ingredients were found in juiciness and metallic flavor intensity. Extending the display time up to 4 or 8 days in high-oxygen MAP had detrimental effects on sensory attributes. Meat from animals with 4 mm fat cover depth were rated more tender and juicy, less fibrous and with a higher intensity of beef flavor and rancid odor than meat from 3 mm fat cover bulls when both samples were vacuum packaged. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of 50 g kg-1 linseed in the concentrate fed to bulls had no detrimental effect on the beef sensory quality. The vacuum-packaged meat of bulls slaughtered at 4 mm fat cover was rated higher on sensory analysis than that at 3 mm fat cover. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Flaxseed Intervention on Inflammatory Marker C-Reactive Protein: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Functional food-flaxseed and its derivatives (flaxseed oil or lignans) are beneficial for human health, possibly because of their anti-inflammatory effects. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation was chosen to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of flaxseed. We searched randomized controlled trials from PubMed and the Cochrane Library in October 2015 and conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of flaxseed and its derivatives on CRP. The mean differences (net change) in CRP (mg/L) concentrations were pooled with a random- or a fixed-effects model depending on the results of heterogeneity tests. Overall, flaxseed interventions had no effects on reduction of CRP (p = 0.428). The null effects were consistent in the subgroup analysis with multiple studies and population characteristics. Significant heterogeneity was observed in most of the analyses. Meta-regression identified baseline body mass index (BMI) as a significant source of heterogeneity (P-interaction = 0.032), with a significant reduction in CRP of 0.83 mg/L (95% confidence interval -1.34 to -0.31; p = 0.002) among subjects with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m². In conclusion, our meta-analysis did not find sufficient evidence that flaxseed and its derivatives have a beneficial effect on reducing circulating CRP. However, they may significantly reduce CRP in obese populations.

No evidence of hypoglycemia or hypotension in older adults during 6 months of flax lignan supplementation in a randomized controlled trial: a safety evaluation.

CONTEXT: The natural health product, BeneFlax, is a standardized flaxseed [Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae)] lignan enriched product with evidence of product quality and known quantity of the bioactive component, lignan. The acceptance of this natural health product for its various health benefits requires greater evidence of its safety in the general population. OBJECTIVE: We determined whether flaxseed lignan causes clinical hypoglycemia or hypotension in healthy older adults as an important aspect of safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants aged 49-87 years were randomized in a double-blind trial to receive flaxseed lignan (543 mg/day in BeneFlax) or placebo while completing a 6-month walking program. The 94 participants who completed the study were stratified by age (<65 years versus ≥65 years) and treatment category to determine whether older adults were more susceptible to adverse effects. RESULTS: After 6 months of treatment, average plasma glucose level (5.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L), systolic blood pressure (127 ± 14 mm Hg), and diastolic blood pressure (80 ± 9 mm Hg) were within normal clinical range. Controlling for sex and body mass index covariates resulted in no observed differences between plasma glucose or blood pressure measurements between treatment or age groups (p > 0.05). No incidents of hypoglycemia or hypotension were observed during BeneFlax treatment, suggesting that 543 mg falls at or below the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These data suggest the flaxseed lignan product BeneFlax does not pose a risk of hypoglycemia or hypotension in healthy adults aged 49-87 years.

Flaxseed does not enhance the estrogenic effect of low-dose estrogen therapy on markers of uterine health in ovariectomized rats.

Flaxseed (FS) is an oilseed rich in phytoestrogens and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, compounds that may attenuate bone loss during aging. We previously demonstrated using the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis that 10% dietary FS combined with low-dose estrogen therapy (LD) preserves vertebral bone mass and strength more so than either treatment alone. However, it was prudent to also consider the effect of this intervention on uterine tissue as LD, and possibly FS, may have estrogenic, and thus negative, effects on uterine tissue. The present study investigated if FS enhances the estrogenic effect of LD on markers of uterine health in OVX rats. Three-month-old rats were randomized to groups: (1) SHAM, (2) OVX, (3) OVX+FS, (4) OVX+LD, or (5) OVX+FS+LD. Ground FS was added to the AIN-93M diet (100 g/kg of diet), and LD was delivered by subcutaneous implant (0.42 µg of 17ß-estradiol/kg of body weight/day) to mimic LD in postmenopausal women. After 12 weeks, histological analyses of uterine tissue demonstrated flattened or cuboidal luminal epithelia organized in a single layer in the OVX group, while FS, LD, and FS+LD induced a single layer of elongated luminal epithelia, columnar in shape. The SHAM group had the greatest epithelial mass. Cell proliferation was similar among all OVX groups. Therefore FS and FS+LD similarly induce estrogen-like effects on the morphology of luminal epithelia that are weaker than in the SHAM group without inducing cell proliferation in OVX rats. Thus, FS does not enhance the estrogenic effect of LD on markers of uterine health in OVX rats.

Evaluation of the efficacy of flaxseed meal and flaxseed extract in reducing menopausal symptoms.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of flaxseed meal and flaxseed extract in reducing climacteric symptoms of menopausal women. Ninety menopausal women were randomly distributed into three study groups: group I received 1 g per day of flaxseed extract containing at least 100 mg of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), group II received 90 g per day of flaxseed meal containing at least 270 mg of SDG, and group III received 1 g per day of collagen (placebo group). Subjects were assessed for menopausal symptoms by the Kupperman index at the beginning and at the end of the 6 months of treatment. Subjects were also assessed for endometrial thickness and vaginal cytology. The Kupperman index values at the beginning and end of the treatments were analyzed using the paired t-test. Both the flaxseed extract (P=.007) and the flaxseed meal (P=.005) were effective in reducing the menopausal symptoms when compared with the placebo control (P=.082). Alternatively, the changes in Kupperman index were also computed and submitted to analysis of variance. In this case, no significant differences were found (P=.084) although the data indicate a decreasing tendency for the Kupperman index by both the flaxseed extract and the flaxseed meal groups. Neither the flaxseed extract nor the flaxseed meal exerted clinically important estrogenic effects on the vaginal epithelium or endometrium as revealed by the absence of changes in the blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol, as well as in the endometrial thickness, and vaginal epithelial maturation value. No serious adverse events related to the treatments were reported. Although the results of the present study do not allow an unequivocal conclusion about the action of flaxseed on the menopausal symptoms, they suggest that it could be premature to conclude that no such action exists. Clearly the matter still deserves further experimental attention.

Exposure to specific herbal products during pregnancy and the risk of low birth weight.

CONTEXT: Despite the fact that herbal products (HP) are used frequently during gestation worldwide, studies indicate that they may not be free of danger for fetuses. Evidence about the safety of HP use during pregnancy and their impact on pregnancy outcomes is currently lacking. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy (≥15 weeks of gestation [WG]) and more specifically, between use of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), flax (Linum usitatissimum), peppermint (M. balsamea), or green tea (Camellia sinensis) (alone or in combination with other HPs) and the risk of low birth weight (LBW). DESIGN: We evaluated data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry, which was created by the linkage of 3 administrative databases in Quebec, and a self-administered questionnaire mailed to subjects. Participants 8505 women were randomly selected from the registry. Overall, 38.5% of women (n = 3273) returned their questionnaires, and 3183 were included in the study (8 were excluded because of missing values on birth weight or giving birth to twins or triplets). Outcome measures We performed a case-control analysis. Cases were defined as women who delivered a newborn <2500g and controls as women who delivered a newborn ≥2500g. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Amongst the selected 3183 participants, 424 (13.32%) were cases. After adjusting for potential confounders, no statistically significant associations were found between the use of any HP during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW, or between the use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea (alone or in combination with other HPs) during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of LBW. CONCLUSION: HP use during the last 2 trimesters of pregnancy and more specifically, use of flax, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea alone or in combination with other HPs did not significantly increase the risk of LBW.

Maternal flaxseed diet during lactation alters milk composition and programs the offspring body composition, lipid profile and sexual function.

We evaluated the effects of maternal dietary flaxseed during lactation on milk composition, body composition and sexual function of the adult female offspring. The dams were fed a control casein diet (C) or flaxseed diet (F, 25%) throughout lactation. F mothers showed higher serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) and leptin at weaning. F mother's milk had lower total cholesterol (TC) and higher E2 and leptin. The offspring of F dams showed lower body mass (BM), body fat mass (BFM), visceral fat mass (VFM), TC and triglycerides (TG) and higher serum leptin and E2 at 21 days. F offspring showed delayed puberty onset. At 150 days, these offspring presented higher BFM, VFM, TC, TG, E2 and lower relative uterine weight and lower progesterone. In conclusion, flaxseed during lactation did affect the lipid profile, adipose tissue and sexual function in adulthood, probably due hyperestrogenism and hyperleptinemia at weaning.

Efeito da suplementação de linhaça, óleo de canola e vitamina e na dieta sobre a oxidação dos ácidos graxos na gema dos ovos de galinhas poedeiras / Effect of supplementation of flaxseed, canola oil and vitamin e on diet in fatty acids oxidation of egg yolk laying hens

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar o efeito de fontes deácidos graxos poliinsaturados- óleo de canola e/ou semente de linhaça com diferentes concentrações de vitamina E suplementar sobre o teor de produtos de oxidação de ácidos graxos na gema de ovos de galinhas. Utilizou-se 288 galinhas da linhagem Babcock que receberam dietas com 6% de óleo de canola, 20% de semente de linhaça moída ou 3% de óleo de canola e 10% de semente de linhaça moída com teores de 0, 100 e 200 UI/kg de a-tocoferol, para análise estatística dos resultados empregou-se arranjo fatorial 3X3 em blocos casualizados.Os grupos que receberam óleo de canola tiveram menores concentrações de malonaldeído (menor oxidação) na gema dos ovos que aqueles alimentados com linhaça, em ovos crus sem armazenamento e nos cozidos após armazenamento. Os ovos crustiveram as menores concentrações de produtos de oxidação dos ácidos graxos. Os grupos de ovos cozidos, que receberam 100 e 200UI/kgde vitamina E na dieta, tiveram menores teores de malonaldeído na gema dos ovos que os grupos não suplementados.

To investigate the effect of dietary sources of polyunsaturated fattyacids - canola oil and flaxseed – with different vitamin E supplementation upon the fatty acids oxidation produtcts deposition into the eggs. 288 Babcock laying hens were used. Birds were fed diets containing 6% of canola oil, 20% of flaxseed or a combination of 3% of canola oil and 10% of flaxseed, enriched with 0,100 or 200 Ul of dl-a-tocopheril acetate, hens were randomly allocated and the experimental design was a 3X3 factorial arrangement. The inclusion of flaxseed into the diet increased the yolk polyun saturated fatty acids oxidation products, in crude and cooked stored eggs. The concentration of fatty acids oxidation products de crease in crude eggs in all sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The cooked eggs without a-tocopherol supplementation in the diet increase the concentration of oxidation products when compared with cooked eggs from diets with 100 or 200UI a-tocopherol in the diet.

Efeito da suplementação de linhaça, óleo de canola e vitamina E na dieta sobre as concentrações de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados em ovos de galinha / Effect of dietary supplementation of flaxseed, canola oil and vitamin E upon polyunsaturated fatty acids in chicken eggs

Estudou-se o efeito de diferentes fontes de ácidos graxos insaturados (óleo de canola e semente de linhaça), acrescidas de diferentes teores de alfa-tocoferol nas dietas de poedeiras, sobre a composição de ácidos graxos da gema do ovo foi estudado. Foram utilizadas 288 galinhas da linhagem Babcock que receberam dietas com 6 por cento de óleo de canola, 20 por cento de semente de linhaça moída ou 3 por cento de óleo de canola e 10 por cento de linhaça moída com teores de 0, 100 e 200UI/kg de alfa-tocoferol. As dietas com 20 por cento de semente de linhaça proporcionaram teores mais elevados de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados no ovo com aumento, em particular, dos teores de ácido alfa-linolênico e EPA (ácido eicosapentaenóico) e diminuição de ácido araquidônico na gema. Os teores de vitamina E contidos nas rações experimentais não determinaram alteração significativa na deposição dos diferentes ácidos graxos na gema dos ovos, exceto com relação aos ácidos graxos saturados.

The effect of dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids - canola oil and flaxseed - with different vitamin E supplementation on the fatty acid deposition into the eggs of 288 Babcock laying hens was investigated. Birds were fed diets containing 6 percent of canola oil, 20 percent of flaxseed or a combination of 3 percent of canola oil and 10 percent of flaxseed, enriched with 0, 100 or 200Ul of dl-alpha-tocopheril acetate. The inclusion of flaxseed in the diets increased the yolk polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly alpha-linolenic acid and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The concentration of alpha-tocopherol in the diet did not change the egg yolk, fatty acids deposition but changed the saturated fatty acids deposition.

Effects of a diet rich in phytoestrogens on prostate-specific antigen and sex hormones in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of diets rich in soy and linseed compared with a control diet on biochemical markers of prostate cancer in men diagnosed with prostate cancer. METHODS: Twenty-nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer and scheduled to undergo a radical prostatectomy were randomized to one of three groups: soy (high phytoestrogen), soy and linseed (high phytoestrogen), or wheat (low phytoestrogen). A bread was specially manufactured to incorporate 50 g of heat-treated (HT) soy grits or 50 g of HT soy grits and 20 g of linseed as part of the study participant's daily diet. Baseline and preoperative levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free PSA, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free androgen index, and dihydrotestosterone were measured. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were detected between the HT soy grits group and the control wheat group for the percentage of change in total PSA (-12.7% versus 40%, P = 0.02) and the percentage of change in free/total PSA ratio (27.4% versus -15.6%, P = 0.01); and between the HT soy grits group and the HT soy grits and linseed group for the percentage of change in free androgen index (16.4% versus -15.5%, P = 0.04) and the percentage of change in free/total PSA ratio (27.4% versus -10%, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study indicate that a daily diet containing four slices of a bread rich in HT soy grits favorably influences the PSA level and the free/total PSA ratio in patients with prostate cancer. This work provides some evidence to support epidemiologic studies claiming that male populations who consume high phytoestrogen diets have a reduced risk of prostate cancer development and progression.

The effects of dietary flaxseed on the Fischer 344 rat: II. Liver gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity.

The effect of 10% flax chow consumption from the 30th to the 130th day after birth was examined in male Fischer 344 rats. The effects of both the high lignan/high oil Norlin strain and a high lignan/low oil Solin strain of flaxseed were compared. Physically and behaviourally there were no differences in rats belonging to the three dietary groups at any time. At 50 and 100 days of dietary exposure, blood glucose levels were the same in Norlin and Solin flax chow-fed and as well as regular chow-fed rats; there were no signs of toxicity in the Norlin and Solin flax-fed rats since their plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase were the same and equal to those of regular chow-fed rats. The activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gammaGT) displayed an increase in the liver homogenates of flax chow-fed rats. This increase was the same in Norlin and Solin flax-fed rats at 50 and 100 days. Thus the liver effect was not oil, but lignan, likely secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), induced and was effected early on, and sustained, after flax exposure. The degree of heat activation of liver homogenate gammaGT was the same in regular chow-fed and flax chow-fed rats. Compared to liver homogenate gammaGT activity, the soluble form of gammaGT was expressed at very low levels while the plasma membrane-bound form of gammaGT was expressed at very high levels in rat liver in both regular chow-fed and flax chow-fed rats. There was no effect of flax feeding on the soluble form of liver gammaGT which was expressed at a very low level. Flax feeding effected an increase in the activity of gammaGT in isolated plasma membrane fractions which mirrored that in liver homogenates: the same degree of increase was seen in Norlin flax chow-fed and Solin flax chow-fed rats. Flax consumption effects an increase in the activity of liver gammaGT at the level of the plasma membrane which is lignan dependent, physiologically relevant and may be linked to hepatoprotection against injury through an increase in reduced glutathione.

Long-term effects of feeding flaxseed on performance and egg fatty acid composition of brown and white hens.

Two hundred fifty-six 18-wk-old Shaver White and ISA-Brown pullets were fed commercial diets containing either 0 or 10% flaxseed in order to study the long-term effects of feeding flaxseed on hen performance and egg production parameters. Performance was monitored over 10 consecutive 28-d periods. Flaxseed was introduced gradually at 28 wk of age and was maintained until hens were 53 wk of age, when flaxseed was gradually eliminated from the diet. Feed intake was less (P < 0.05) for hens fed flaxseed compared to those consuming the control diet. Flax-fed hens were also lighter (P < 0.05) compared to the control birds. Egg production, egg weight, shell weight, albumen height, and shell thickness were not significantly (P > 0.05) different for hens consuming 0 and 10% flaxseed; however, yolk weight was reduced (P < 0.05) in hens fed flaxseed. Both strains of birds fed flaxseed deposited significantly more n-3 fatty acids into their eggs. Sampling of livers at the end of the trial showed that hens fed flaxseed had a higher (P < 0.05) incidence of liver hemorrhages.

Anaphylaxis to Linum.

BACKGROUND: Flax (Linum usitatissimum) seeds are increasingly used in bread and as laxatives. Hypersensitivity to linseeds has been infrequently described, and we report a case of anaphylaxis induced by linseed ingestion in a 39-year-old woman. METHODS AND RESULTS: The clinical course, as well as positive skin prick tests and histamine release tests performed with linseed extracts, suggested a type I hypersensitivity as the underlying cause for the patient's multisystemic involvement. The presence of linum-specific IgE in her serum was confirmed by immunoCAP assay. CONCLUSION: Linum seeds might be a source of allergic sensitization that should be taken into account due to its widespread distribution at health food stores.