title: Maternal exposure to diets containing flaxseed flour or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation protects the aortic remodeling in adult male offspring of diabetic rat dams.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with cardiovascular complications in the fetus and extends into adulthood. Therapeutic applications of flaxseed have been studied in cardiovascular disorders, because its oilseed is the best plant source of omega-3 fatty acid, which is currently considered by researchers to be an essential protective against cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of flaxseed flour and oil on cardiovascular biochemical parameters and the histoarchitecture of the aorta in adult rats which were offspring of diabetic mothers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 100 days of age in offspring it was observed that maternal consumption of a high-fat diet containing flaxseed oil (FOG) and flaxseed flour (FFG) did not affect the serum concentration of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density-, low-density- or very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the thickness of the intima media layer of the aorta was significantly smaller in FOG and FFG groups; the lumen area was similar among the groups; and a higher percentage of elastic fiber was found in FOG and FFG groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the use of both flaxseed flour and its oil reduces the remodeling of the aorta; however; it has not been possible to modify the cardiovascular biochemical parameters.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition (LabNE), College of Nutrition, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Câmara
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition (LabNE), College of Nutrition, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: André Manoel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Correia-Santos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition (LabNE), College of Nutrition, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Statistical Department, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Guillermo Coca
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Velarde
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Extracellular Biomorphology, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maurício Alves
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chagas
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition (LabNE), College of Nutrition, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilson Teles
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Boaventura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry; D005433:Flour; D007774:Lactation; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D066253:Vascular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008043:Linseed Oil
keywords: cardiovascular diseases; diabetes; flaxseed; intima media thickness; omega-3; rats