title: Gene expression profiling of flaxseed in mouse lung tissues-modulation of toxicologically relevant genes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flaxseed (FS), a nutritional supplement consisting mainly of omega-3 fatty acids and lignan phenolics has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties. The usefulness of flaxseed as an alternative and complimentary treatment option has been known since ancient times. We have shown that dietary FS supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation in experimental models of acute and chronic lung injury in mice resulting from diverse toxicants. The development of lung tissue damage in response to direct or indirect oxidant stress is a complex process, associated with changes in expression levels of a number of genes. We therefore postulated that flaxseed might modulate gene expression of vital signaling pathways, thus interfering with the development of tissue injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated gene expression in lungs of flaxseed-fed (10%FS) mice under unchallenged, control conditions. We reasoned that array technology would provide a powerful tool for studying the mechanisms behind this response and aid the evaluation of dietary flaxseed intervention with a focus on toxicologically relevant molecular gene targets. Gene expression levels in lung tissues were analyzed using a large-scale array whereby 28,800 genes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3,713 genes (12.8%) were significantly (p < 0.05) differentially expressed, of which 2,088 had a >1.5-fold change. Genes affected by FS include those in protective pathways such as Phase I and Phase II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The array studies have provided information on how FS modulates gene expression in lung and how they might be related to protective mechanisms. In addition, our study has confirmed that flaxseed is a nutritional supplement with potentially useful therapeutic applications in complementary and alternative (CAM) medicine especially in relation to treatment of lung disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Floyd
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dukes
authors.forename: Stathis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanterakis
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pietrofesa
authors.forename: Emily S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Evguenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arguiri
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Showe
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Amrani
authors.forename: Melpo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christofidou-Solomidou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D017705:Lignans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017705:Lignans; D010636:Phenols; D028321:Plant Preparations