division (Oomah 2001). Further, the interaction between soluble polysaccharides
and flaxseed protein can reduce the colon luminal ammonia, thereby protecting
against colon cancer (Clinton 1992). Lignans may have partial chemoprotective
effects due to their strong protein-binding properties (Adlercreutz et al. 1993). In a
study on azoxymethane-induced colon cancer Fisher male rats, Williams et al.
(2007) observed that dietary flaxseed meal (20%) and flaxseed oil (7%) reduced
the aberrant crypt foci formation by 90% and 78%, respectively, as compared to
control in the experimental animals. It was hypothesized that the ability of ω-3 fatty
acids to suppress the inflammation by downregulating the cycloygenase-2 enzyme
might be the mechanism behind the reduced crypt foci formation.
10.6.4 Role in Kidney and Renal Diseases
Chronic kidney disease is one of the serious health concerns among adult population
that may lead to renal disease which need dialysis or transplantation for survival
(Lauretani et al. 2009). Various studies have reported the useful effects of flaxseed
ω-3 fatty acids in the improvement of renal health and reducing renal inflammation
and fibrosis in animal models (Baggio et al. 2005; Ogborn et al. 2002, 2003).
Extended supplementation of ω-3 fatty acids has been found to be related with
significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Since hypertension is
a risk factor and precursor of chronic kidney disease, this is considered as a potential
mechanism for the protection of kidney disorders (Cicero et al. 2010). In a study on
Lupus nephritis patients, Clark et al. (2001) observed the reno-protective effects of
flaxseed which was associated with a decline in the serum creatinine and
microalbumin levels during a period of 2 years. In an another study on male Han:
SPRD-cy rats from the time of weaning till 8 weeks, Ogborn et al. (2002) reported
that flaxseed ameliorates polycystic kidney disease through moderation of the
associated chronic interstitial nephritis. Naqshbandi et al. (2013) studied the ameliorative effect of flaxseed oil in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and reported that
feeding of a diet rich in flaxseed oil markedly reduced nephrotoxicity.
10.6.5 Role in the Prevention of Obesity
Flaxseed fibers are effective hunger suppression agents due to the formation of
highly viscous solution upon hydration (Kristensen et al. 2011; Wanders et al.
2011) and found to be useful in controlling obesity. Flaxseed mucilages are hydrophilic substances that form thick viscous solution on hydration that can delay gastric
emptying and thereby can prevent obesity (Goyal et al. 2014). In an obese subject,
downregulation of leptin receptor leads to underexpression of leptin by adipose
tissue (Dubey et al. 2006) resulting in the lack of satiety, overeating, and finally
obesity. McCullough et al. (2011) reported that consumption of flaxseed positively
10 Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)
265
and flaxseed protein can reduce the colon luminal ammonia, thereby protecting
against colon cancer (Clinton 1992). Lignans may have partial chemoprotective
effects due to their strong protein-binding properties (Adlercreutz et al. 1993). In a
study on azoxymethane-induced colon cancer Fisher male rats, Williams et al.
(2007) observed that dietary flaxseed meal (20%) and flaxseed oil (7%) reduced
the aberrant crypt foci formation by 90% and 78%, respectively, as compared to
control in the experimental animals. It was hypothesized that the ability of ω-3 fatty
acids to suppress the inflammation by downregulating the cycloygenase-2 enzyme
might be the mechanism behind the reduced crypt foci formation.
10.6.4 Role in Kidney and Renal Diseases
Chronic kidney disease is one of the serious health concerns among adult population
that may lead to renal disease which need dialysis or transplantation for survival
(Lauretani et al. 2009). Various studies have reported the useful effects of flaxseed
ω-3 fatty acids in the improvement of renal health and reducing renal inflammation
and fibrosis in animal models (Baggio et al. 2005; Ogborn et al. 2002, 2003).
Extended supplementation of ω-3 fatty acids has been found to be related with
significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Since hypertension is
a risk factor and precursor of chronic kidney disease, this is considered as a potential
mechanism for the protection of kidney disorders (Cicero et al. 2010). In a study on
Lupus nephritis patients, Clark et al. (2001) observed the reno-protective effects of
flaxseed which was associated with a decline in the serum creatinine and
microalbumin levels during a period of 2 years. In an another study on male Han:
SPRD-cy rats from the time of weaning till 8 weeks, Ogborn et al. (2002) reported
that flaxseed ameliorates polycystic kidney disease through moderation of the
associated chronic interstitial nephritis. Naqshbandi et al. (2013) studied the ameliorative effect of flaxseed oil in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and reported that
feeding of a diet rich in flaxseed oil markedly reduced nephrotoxicity.
10.6.5 Role in the Prevention of Obesity
Flaxseed fibers are effective hunger suppression agents due to the formation of
highly viscous solution upon hydration (Kristensen et al. 2011; Wanders et al.
2011) and found to be useful in controlling obesity. Flaxseed mucilages are hydrophilic substances that form thick viscous solution on hydration that can delay gastric
emptying and thereby can prevent obesity (Goyal et al. 2014). In an obese subject,
downregulation of leptin receptor leads to underexpression of leptin by adipose
tissue (Dubey et al. 2006) resulting in the lack of satiety, overeating, and finally
obesity. McCullough et al. (2011) reported that consumption of flaxseed positively
10 Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)
265