Flaxseed oil attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver of hyperlipidemic hamsters

J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Jun 10;57(11):5078-83. doi: 10.1021/jf900499v.

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia of hamsters was induced by high-fat/cholesterol diets formulated by the addition of coconut oil (CO), butter (BU), and flaxseed oil (FX). Lower (p < 0.05) serum lipids, liver size, and hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerol contents were observed in the FX group compared to both CO and BU groups. The liver damage indices [glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) values] in the FX group were lower (p < 0.05) than those in the CO and BU groups, which may result from higher (p < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) levels and a tendency toward lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in livers. Besides, lower (p < 0.05) gene expression and activity of hepatic matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in the FX group were lower (p > 0.05) compared to those in the CO and BU groups; however, no (p > 0.05) differences in gene expression activities of hepatic MMP-2 were observed among treatments. Those beneficial effects could explain the attenuation of FX on nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) induced by a high-fat/cholesterol dietary habit.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / genetics
  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / genetics
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver / genetics
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Hyperlipidemias / genetics
  • Hyperlipidemias / metabolism
  • Linseed Oil / administration & dosage*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mesocricetus

Substances

  • Malondialdehyde
  • Linseed Oil
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9