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Flaxseed Effects on Inflammation Regulatory Gene Expressions in an Obese Animal Model

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Abstract

Obesity is known to be partially influenced by low-grade inflammation caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines and excess adipose tissue. Flaxseed contains secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) that have been shown to prevent pro-inflammatory cytokine production and secretion. This study determined flaxseed effects on inflammation regulatory gene expressions and their relationships with weight gain in an obese animal model. C57BL/6J mice were fed with whole flaxseed, defatted flaxseed, or flaxseed oil supplemented high-fat diet for eight weeks. After eight weeks of dietary treatment, NF-κB, IκBα, IKKβ, IL-6, TNF-α, Akt2, and adiponectin gene expressions were measured. The result shows how health-promoting compounds in flaxseed assist in alleviating and preventing obesity-induced low-grade inflammation by actively working against IKKβ/NF-κB pathway.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Curt Doetkott and Qian Wen for the assistance with statistical analysis.

Funding

North Dakota State University, College of Human Sciences and Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

    Michael Mann

  2. Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA

    Yeong Rhee

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Correspondence to Yeong Rhee.

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Mann, M., Rhee, Y. Flaxseed Effects on Inflammation Regulatory Gene Expressions in an Obese Animal Model. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 76, 292–296 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-021-00906-7

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