EFFECTS OF THE FLAXSEED IN THE OXIDATIVE BALANCE AND LIPID PROFILE

CECCHINI, M. E.; MAGNAGO, F.; ROMA, D.; VAREA, C.; TORRETA, M. E.; AIASSA, D.; MAÑAS, F.

La Falda, Córdoba.

Jornada; XXI Jornadas Científicas de la Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba; 2017

Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba

Flaxseed is known as a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and lignans. The beneficial effects on cardiovascular health due to ALA may be the result of modifications on the lipid profile, while the lignans might produce antioxidant effects. We used thirteen adult male Anglo-Nubian goats, split in two groups; one of them was fed on a conventional diet of alfalfa and ground corn and the other group was fed on the same diet supplemented with 5% of flaxseed. Blood samples were collected every 7 days to quantify the thiobarbituric acidreactive substances (TBARs) and to measure total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Levels of lipoperoxidation in animals fed on a diet supplemented with flaxseed showed a statistically significant decrease (p≤0,01, Dunnett´s Test) from week 7 onwards (from 3.83±0.25 at the beginning to 1.83±0.25 nmol/g protein at the end of treatment). Statistically significant differences were also found in cholesterol levels and LDL/HDL ratio between both groups (p≤0,01, Student´s Test). Flaxseed supplementation produces a remarkable antioxidant effect in plasma, reducing lipoperoxidation levels about 50% in a three-month period. This effect combined with a decrease of LDL/HDL ratio and cholesterol levels could represent a reduction in the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases.