Potential of flaxseed oil blends to modulate tissue fatty acid composition and determination of safety parameters in Wistar rats

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress which is further associated with omega-6 (ω6) and omega-3 (ω3) fatty acid (FA) imbalance favoring ω6 FA. By improving ω3 FA consumption, this imbalance can be altered to control NCD. Previously we have reported blends of flaxseed oil (FSO, ω3 FA) with palm olein (PO) or coconut oil (CO) were thermo-oxidatively stable with good storage stability and could improve ω6:ω3 ratio in cell lines. In the present study safety of these blends along with their efficacy to improve tissue FA composition particularly ω6:ω3 ratio was evaluated in Wistar rats. Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained initially. Wistar rats were supplemented with individual oils or blends (FSO with PO or CO, 20:80 by volume, 1.0 mL/day/200 gm body weight) for 3 months. Throughout the study period, there were no adverse effect of blends on feed intake and body weight gain. After 3 months, blood and serum were subjected for hematological, biochemical assessment. Vital organs were harvested for histopathological and FA composition investigations. Hematological, biochemical, and tissue histopathological parameters were comparable with Control (group receiving only normal diet). Interestingly serum lipid profile was improved by the blend supplementation. Except brain, FA composition was altered in liver, heart, adipose tissue, and RBC with lowering of ω6:ω3 ratio but there was no favorable effect on inflammatory markers and adipokines in the blend supplemented groups. Thus, to conclude, FSO blends with PO or CO were able to lower tissue ω6:ω3 ratio without adverse effects.