Jornal de Nutrição Clínica e Metabolismo

The Effect of Flaxseed Powder and Oil on Reduction of Hyperglycemia and Associated Parameters in StreptozotocinInduced Diabetic Rats

Suha Hashim Abduljawad

The aim of this research was to compare the 10% flaxseed powder and 4% flaxseed oil effects on reduction of hyperglycemia and associated parameters streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin. The rats were divided into six groups consisting of 5 rats in each group. C, control; CD, diabetes control; CFP, normal rats feed on diet contain 10% flaxseed powder; CFO, normal rats feed on diet contains 4% flaxseed oil; DFP, diabetic rats feed on diet contain 10% flaxseed powder; DFO, diabetic rats fed on a diet containing 4% flaxseed oil. The highest significant increase (p<0.01) of Total glutathione levels and Superoxide dismutase and Catalase activity were seen in group CFP when compared to CD group. Supplementation with flaxseed powder in the diet was more effective than flaxseed oil in the reduction of blood glucose level of diabetic rats. DFP group showed the lowest significant (P<0.05) decreasing in total cholesterol, Triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and the highest significant (P<0.05) increasing in high-density lipoprotein as compared to diabetic CD group. Conclusion: Diabetic rats in a group which were treated with 10% flaxseed powder were able to partly recover from STZ-induced diabetes within eight weeks when compared to DC group.