Blood and Aorta Lipid Status and Platelet Function in Swine Modified by Dietary α-Linolenic Acid-Rich Flax Seed

Abstract

The effects of dietary 18:3n − 3 on the fatty acid composition of plasma, red blood cells, aorta, platelets, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and platelet response to collagen-induced aggregation in swine was investigated. Pigs (n = 25) were fed diets containing 18:3n − 3 at 0% (control), 1.5% (LNA1), 2.5% (LNA2), and 3.6% (LNA3). Dietary 18:3n − 3 resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) enrichment of 18:3n − 3, 20:5n − 3, and 22:5n − 3 in plasma, red blood cells, aorta, platelet neutral, and phospholipids with a concomitant reduction in 20:4n − 6 (P < 0.05). Dietary 18:3n − 3 did not alter the plasma cholesterol concentration or 22:6n − 3 fatty acid in any of the tissues examined. However, plasma triglyceride concentration was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in pigs receiving LNA1, LNA2, and LNA3 diets when compared with the pigs receiving the control diet. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control group when compared with LNA2 and LNA3 diets, respectively. Keywords: Pig; 18:3n − 3; 20:5n − 3; blood; aorta; platelet; platelet aggregation

Flaxseed and Cardiovascular Risk

“…30 MacDonald-Wicks et al found that 40 female weanling Wistar rats fed 200 g flaxseed oil/kg body weight for 4 weeks produced the lowest 8-iso-PGF 2␣ plasma concentrations (an in vivo marker of oxidative stress) after administration of CCL 4 (an inducer of oxidative stress), compared with rats receiving saturated fat-containing or LA-containing diets. 31 Limited animal evidence also suggests that components of flax may modestly improve blood pressure 32 lower collagen-induced platelet aggregation, 33 protect against developing type 1 diabetes, 34 and retard development of type 2 diabetes. 35…”