PURPOSE:To evaluate whether the prolonged consumption of flaxseed minimize the factors that trigger MS in healthy rats. METHODS:Pregnant rats were divided immediately after delivery into two groups during the lactation period, a control group (CG) receiving casein-based diet with 17% of protein, and a Flaxseed group (FG) with casein-based diet plus 25% of flaxseed. At weaning, 12 offspring of each group continued to receive the same feed but with 10% of protein up to 200 days old. RESULTS:FG showed a significant reduction in body weight (p=0.001), total cholesterol levels (p<0.0001), triglycerides (p=0.0001), and glucose (p=0.001). CONCLUSION:The flaxseed alters the indicators related to development of metabolic syndrome, because it has beneficial effects on lipids and glucose profiles and prevents the excess of body weight gain. MÉTODOS: Ratos fêmeas grávidas foram distribuidas após o parto em dois grupos durante o período de lactação: grupo controle (GC)recebendo dieta à base de caseína com 17% de proteína, e um grupo Linhaça (GL), com dieta à base de caseína adicionada de 25% de semente de linhaça. Ao desmame, 12 filhotes de cada grupo continuaram a receber as rações citadas acima, porém com 10% de proteína, até os 200 dias de vida. RESULTADOS:O GL mostrou uma redução significativa do peso corporal (p=0,001), no colesterol total (p<0,0001), triglicerídeos (p=0,0001) e na glicemia (p=0,001). CONCLUSÃO:A linhaça altera os indicadores relacionados ao desenvolvimento da síndrome metabólica por ter efeitos benéficos no perfil lipídico e glicêmico, e previne o excesso de ganho de peso corporal.Descritores: Linho. Triglicerídeos. Metabolismo. Glucose. Ratos.Brant LHC et al.

Consumption of foods rich in phytoestrogens such as flaxseed has increased due to its chemoprotective effects, especially those related to the cardiovascular system. The flaxseed has components that can interfere with development of male reproductive system. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of prolonged consumption of flaxseed flour on hormonal and histomorphologic penis parameters of adult Wistar rats. Rat dams were divided into two groups during lactation period: the control group that was fed with diet based on casein and the flaxseed group that was fed with diet based on casein containing 25% of flaxseed . At weaning, 10 male offspring from each group continued to receive the experimental diets until 250 days old. Rats fed with diet containing flaxseed showed increased concentrations of 17β-estradiol (p=0.01) but no changes in testosterone concentrations. With regard to histomorphometric analysis of the penis, supplemented rats had lower values for the total area of the corpus spongiosum (p=0.01). All other analyzed parameters wer e similar as the control. Results showed that the use of flaxseed flour did not cause adverse effects on the penis morphology but increases the 17β-estradiol hormone, when consumed in integral form for a prolonged period.