title: Effects of flaxseed supplementation on erythrocyte fatty acids and multiple cardiometabolic biomarkers among Chinese with risk factors of metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated effects of ground whole flaxseed supplementation on erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and serum biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and thrombosis in Chinese with risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a secondary analysis of a 12-week, randomized, parallel-group trial in participants screened for MetS. The analysis included only those with 2 or more components of MetS before receiving either lifestyle counseling (LC, n = 90) or LC + 30 g/day flaxseed supplementation (LCF, n = 83).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the LC group, those in the LCF group experienced significant increases in total erythrocyte n-3 PUFAs, α-linolenic acid, eicosapentenoic acid, and docosapentenoic acid (all P < 0.001), while total n-6 PUFAs (P < 0.05) and n-6/n-3 ratio decreased (P < 0.001). Arachidonic acid increased significantly in the LC group (P < 0.001), and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-18, soluble intracellular adhesion molecular-1, E-selectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 declined significantly in both groups (all P < 0.05), but no between-group differences were observed. There was no significant change in serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, soluble vascular adhesion molecular-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that flaxseed supplementation increases erythrocyte n-3 PUFAs, decreases n-6 PUFAs and n-6/n-3 ratio in participants with risk factors of MetS, but has no additional benefits beyond the lifestyle consulting for the multiple biomarkers tested in the current study.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 294 Tai-Yuan Road, Shanghai 200031, China.
authors.forename: Geng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Demark-Wahnefried
authors.forename: Hongyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D044466:Asian People; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D019040:E-Selectin; D005227:Fatty Acids; D020382:Interleukin-18; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid