Flaxseed oil supplementation alters the expression of inflammatory-related genes in dogs

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Long chain n-3 fatty acids are beneficial to mammals because of their anti-inflammatory role. However, whether flaxseed oil, which is rich in short chain n-3 fatty acids, has such a role, it has not been extensively examined. This study investigated the supplementation of flaxseed oil on the regulation of genes involved in inflammatory responses such as heat shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP70) and interleukin (IL1β) in the white blood cells of dogs. Five beagles and 5 greyhounds were supplemented with Melrose ® flaxseed oil at the rate of 100 mL/kg food for 21 days. The blood was collected at day 0, 15, and 22 following supplementation. The expression of 3 genes was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of fatty acids such as alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid were measured, and their correlations with changes in gene expression were determined. Flaxseed oil supplementation downregulated the Flaxseed oil alters gene expression in dogs expression of HSP90 and IL1β in greyhounds but showed no significant effect on these genes in beagles. HSP70 remained unchanged in both breeds following the supplementation. Correlations of HSP90 and IL1β expression levels with the plasma fatty acid concentrations on day 22 showed a significant negative correlation in greyhounds. Dietary flaxseed oil altered the expression of genes involved in inflammation in white blood cells. Because the expression of the genes may vary in different breeds, it will be useful to consider breed responses to dietary manipulation in canine nutrition management.

Dietary Ground Flaxseed Increases Serum Alpha-Linolenic Acid Concentrations in Adult Cats

“…However, the use of flaxseed as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular the fatty acid ALA, in cat diets is often dismissed due to their inability to convert ALA to EPA and DHA. More recent evidence in human, companion animal, and pre-clinical models suggests that ALA itself has immunomodulatory benefits [ 5 , 13 , 21 , 22 ]. Although it has been reported that cats have low delta-6 desaturase activity, there is evidence that at least in liver and brain tissue specifically, synthesis of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids can be achieved in the absence of dietary EPA, DPA, and DHA in cats [ 23 ].…”

“…It was also found that ALA and LA increased from d15 to d22, suggesting that enrichment of these fatty acids in circulation is not stabilized after 3 weeks of feeding [ 4 ]. Interestingly, a more recent study in both beagles and greyhounds investigated feeding 100 mg/kg food of flaxseed oil on plasma fatty acid levels and their link to inflammatory responses such as heat shock protein 90, heat shock protein 70, and interleukin 1-beta [ 5 ]. There, flaxseed oil supplementation increased ALA and EPA concentrations and downregulated the expression of heat shock protein 90 and interleukin 1-beta in greyhounds but not in beagles.…”

“…Specifically, adult dogs fed an ALA-rich flaxseed for 84 days exhibited higher serum concentrations of ALA, DPA, and EPA, but not DHA, just 4 days after feeding, which is a finding consistent with other mammalian species [ 3 ]. Flaxseed oil has previously been investigated in greyhounds and found to significantly increase plasma ALA concentrations [ 4 ] and result in improvements in inflammatory genes that were negatively correlated to ALA and EPA [ 5 ]. Furthermore, ALA and LA increased from d 15 and d 22, suggesting that PUFA are not stabilized after 3 weeks of feeding [ 5 ].…”

“…Flaxseed oil has previously been investigated in greyhounds and found to significantly increase plasma ALA concentrations [ 4 ] and result in improvements in inflammatory genes that were negatively correlated to ALA and EPA [ 5 ]. Furthermore, ALA and LA increased from d 15 and d 22, suggesting that PUFA are not stabilized after 3 weeks of feeding [ 5 ]. Interestingly, in dogs with atopic dermatitis, supplementation with flaxseed oil for 10 weeks resulted in improved clinical scores; however, the omega-6:omega-3 PUFA ratio was not correlated with improvements in clinical scores [ 6 ].…”

The Effect of Fish Oil-Based Foods on Lipid and Oxidative Status Parameters in Police Dogs

“…Some authors suggest that fatty acids might influence inflammation and oxidative stress, depending on the chain length and the degree of saturation, although there is little information regarding the optimal fat intake for canine athletes [ 1 ]. Certain results indicate the beneficial effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and omega-3 long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) on canine health [ 2 ]. Studies have shown that the supplementation of food-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the dietary precursor of EPA and DHA, might lead to the accumulation of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), but rarely of DHA in dogs [ 3 , 4 ].…”