Anti-atherogenic effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) administration with a high cholesterol diet and its effect on hyperlipidemia in female Wistar rats.

Background:Cardiovascular disease(CVD)persists to be the world's leading reason for mortality and morbidity. The major type of CVD is coronary artery disease(CAD). CAD is the obstruction of coronary arteries frequently instigated by arteriosclerosis (plaque buildup in the coronary artery, which hampers blood flow to the myocardial muscles). This research was conducted to examine the effects of oral intake of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) powder on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis (induced through high-fat diet) in female Wistar rats. The pharmacological effects of flaxseed are diverse. It has an antiarrhythmic effect, anti-arthritic effect, antilipidemic, atherosclerosis, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant activity effect on the body. Methodology:Atotal of 32 female Wistar rats (200 g) were divided equally into four groups. Group I (n=8)rats kept as control and given normal rat chow diet, Group II rats kept as positive control for induction of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis by addition of saturated edible fat to the standard diet (high cholesterol diet -HCD), Group III rats fed with flaxseed powder at 7.5 g/kg of rat/day in the standard rat chow diet and kept as flaxseed control, and Group IV rats supplemented with flaxseed at 7.5 g/kg of rat/day along with HCD and maintained for 15 days. Results:Group II rats showed higher lipid profile and glucose level. Flaxseed supplementation, along with a high cholesterol diet, drastically restored the serum levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol (TC) decreasing frequency of CAD. Histologic investigations showed preserved myocardial walls with minor changes in flaxseed treated rats, whereas increased lymphoid aggregation with inflammation in high fat + flaxseed treated. Conclusion:The biochemical assays and histological results showed the moderate cardio-protective activity of flaxseed administration for 15 days along with a high-fat diet was found to moderately reduce the CVD risk in rats