Prophylactic effect of flaxseed oil against radiation‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Abstract

Flaxseed (linseed, Linum usitatissimum, Linaceae) is widely used for its edible oil in many parts of the world. The present study investigates the radioprotective and antioxidative potential of flaxseed oil (FO). Swiss albino mice were administered FO orally once daily for 15 consecutive days, then exposed to a single dose of 5 Gy of gamma radiation. Lipid peroxide, reduced glutathione and total protein were estimated in the liver. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), acid and alkaline phosphatase estimations in serum were also carried out. Radiation-induced increases in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), AST, ALT and acid phosphatase were significantly ameliorated by flaxseed oil pretreatment, and radiation-induced depletion in the level of glutathione (GSH) and alkaline phosphatase activities was significantly inhibited by flaxseed oil administration. The lifespan was increased in the flaxseed oil treated irradiated mice in comparison with their respective control mice, with survival data showing an LD(50/30) (lethal dose for 50% of animals after 30 days) of 7.1 and 10 Gy for control and FO treated irradiated mice, respectively, and produced a dose reduction factor for flaxseed oil (DRF) of 1.40. Radiation-induced deficits in body and organ weight were significantly reduced or prevented in flaxseed oil pretreated mice. The protection afforded by flaxseed oil may be attributed to the constituents of the oil, which include omega-3 essential fatty acids and phytoestrogenic lignans, which appear to play an important role in free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching. The study does not rule out the possibility of a prophylactic potential of flaxseed oil against radiation-induced degenerative changes in liver.

Favorable Effects of Flaxseed Supplemented Diet on Liver and Kidney Functions in Hypertensive Wistar Rats

“…ALT in radiation-induced hepatotoxicity in mice 23 . Further, studies have reported the positive effects of flaxseed oil, or flaxseed per se, on kidney functions.…”

Attenuation of Lead-Induced Neurotoxicity by Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Rats

“…Ross et al [55] reported the antioxidant activity of omega-3FA, as it reversed the effect of lead toxicity on ROS, protein carbonyl content and MDA levels, which may be attributed due to its high content of omega-3FA. Further, the oil present as main constituents in omega-3FA has an important role in free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching [56] . In humans, the decreased levels of DHA, an important constituent of omega-3FA were found to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease [57] , suggesting the beneficial role of DHA to brain health.…”

The Redox Status in Rats Treated with Flaxseed Oil and Lead-Induced Hepatotoxicity

“…injection of 100 μl of 20 mg/kg lead acetate [14] for 5 days. Group III received 0.3 ml of flaxseed oil by gavage (orally) once daily for 5 days at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg [15], and the animals of group IV received 0.3 ml flaxseed oil by gavage once daily for 5 days at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg body weight. An hour after the treatment with flaxseed oil, group IV was intrapritoneally injected with 100 μl of 20 mg/kg lead acetate for 5 days.…”