Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of flax and pumpkin seed mixture rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in hypercholesterolemic rats

Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Dec;46(12):3714-20. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.09.057. Epub 2008 Oct 1.

Abstract

Flax and pumpkin seeds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers, known to have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective activities. These effects were evaluated in Wistar rats fed with 1% cholesterol diet. The study was performed on 30 male rats divided into three groups: a control group (CD), CD-chol group fed diet with 1% cholesterol and MS-chol group fed diet enriched with flax and pumpkin seed mixture. In CD-chol group, total cholesterol TC, triacylglycerol TG in plasma and liver, plasma LDL-C, atherogenic index AI and LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased. In MS-chol group lipid parameters decreased significantly, plasma and liver fatty acid composition showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA), and MUFAs (oleic and eicosaenoic acid) and a decrease of SFA (palmitic and stearic acid). In plasma and liver of MS-chol group, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in MS-chol group. Our results suggested that flax and pumpkin seed mixture had anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects which were probably mediated by unsaturated fatty acids present in seed mixture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
  • Cucurbita / chemistry*
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids / blood
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / pharmacology*
  • Flax / chemistry*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Lipids / analysis
  • Lipids / blood
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Lipids
  • Protective Agents
  • Proteins
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances