title: Systemic inflammation and carotid diameter in obese patients: pilot comparative study with flaxseed powder and cassava powder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Botanical omega-3 fatty acid (alphalinolenic acid/ALA) has been shown to alleviate the prothrombotic and proinflammatory profile of metabolic syndrome, however clinical protocols are still scarce. Aiming to focus an obese population, a pilot study was designed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery (n = 29, age 46.3 ± 5.2 years), 82.8% females (24/29), BMI 44.9 ± 5.2 kg/m², with C-reactive protein/CRP > 5 mg/L were recruited. Twenty were randomized and after exclusions, 16 were available for analysis. Flaxseed powder (60 g/day, 10 g ALA) and isocaloric roasted cassava powder (60 g/day, fat-free) were administered in a double-blind routine for 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During flaxseed consumption neutrophil count decreased and fibrinogen, complement C4, prothrombin time and carotid diameter remained stable, whereas placebo (cassava powder) was associated with further elevation of those measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflammatory and coagulatory markers tended to exhibit a better outlook in the flaxseed group. Also large-artery diameter stabilized whereas further increase was noticed in controls. These findings raise the hypothesis of a less deleterious cardiovascular course in seriously obese subjects receiving a flaxseed supplement.
authors.affiliation: Nutrology Residency Program, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo, Brazil. jfaintuch@hcnet.usp.br
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faintuch
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bortolotto
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Faintuch
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cecconello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000502:physiology; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D002365:Manihot / Q000737:chemistry*; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011208:Powders; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018401:Sample Size; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D011208:Powders