Effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on serum lipid profile and malondialdehyde in hyperlipidemic rabbits

Regarding to the hyperlipidemia as one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the present study was conducted to assess the effects of flaxseed dietary supplement on serum lipid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty-four New Zealand male rabbits after 2 weeks of adaptation were fed 0.5 % cholesterol that was added their diet for 1 month to induce hyperlipidemia. Then the rabbits were divided into two groups, the rabbits in control group were continued on the 0.5 % cholesterol diet and flaxseed group received 7.5 g/kg b.w/day crushed flaxseed which was added to the 0.5 % cholesterol diet, each for 2 months. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline, after hyperlipidemia, 1 month and 2 months of intervention to determine the concentrations of serum lipid profile and MDA. Serum TC, LDL-C and MDA were lower in flaxseed group as compared to control group by 34 and 37% (P<0.001), 35 and 38.5% (P<0.001) and 36.3 and 38.5% (P< 0.05), respectively, at the end of first and second month. There were no significant differences in HDL.C and TG concentrations (P> 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate that dietary flaxseed favorably decrease serum TC, LDL C, TC/HDL.C, LDL.C/HDL.C and lipid peroxidation parameter (MDA) and may be developed as a useful therapy for hyperlipidemia.