title: Flaxseed oil and α-lipoic acid combination reduces atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atherosclerosis is a major manifestation of the pathophysiology underlying cardiovascular disease. Flaxseed oil (FO) and α-lipoic acid (LA) have been reported to exert potential benefit to cardiovascular system. This study tried to assess the effect of supplement of FO and LA combination on the atherosclerosis risk factors in rats fed a high-fat diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  LA was dissolved in flaxseed oil to a final concentration of 8 g/kg (FO+LA) when used. The rodent diet contained 20% fat. One-fifth of the fat was soybean oil and the others were lard (HFD group), or 75% lard and 25% FO+LA (L-FO+LA group), or 50% lard and 50% FO+LA (M-FO+LA group), or FO+LA (H-FO+LA group). Animals were fed for 10 weeks and then killed for blood collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplement of FO and LA combination significantly enhanced plasma antioxidant defense capacities, as evaluated by the marked increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx as well as the level of GSH, and the significant reduction in lipid peroxidation. Simultaneous intake of FO and LA also reduced plasma TG, TC and LDL-C contents and elevated the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C. Besides, in parallel with the increase of FO and LA combination, plasma IL-6 and CRP levels were remarkably reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplement of FO and LA combination may contribute to prevent atherogenesis by improving plasma oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Product Processing and Nutriology, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2 Xudong Second Road, Wuhan 430062, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jiqu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qianchun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Qingde
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin'e
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fenghong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012307:Risk Factors; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008055:Lipids; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D008043:Linseed Oil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione