Dietary flaxseed's protective effects on body tissues of mice after oral exposure to xylene

Different Lengths of Diet Supplementation with 10% Flaxseed Alter the Hormonal Profile and the Follicular Fluid Fatty Acid Content of Fattening Gilts

The effect of 10% dietary flaxseed fed for 3 and 6 weeks on serum hormone levels of fattening gilts, the fatty acid (FA) follicular fluid (FF) composition of small and large antral follicles, and the steroidogenesis and IGF-I secretion by isolated small antral follicles and their response to regulatory hormones (LH, FSH, IGF-I) was studied using immunoassay and gas chromatography analyses. Both supplemental periods increased levels of P4 and IGF-I in blood serum. A shorter period inhibited steroidogenesis (P4, T, E2) and IGF-I secretion by small antral follicles, which was associated with decreased levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) and preferred n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) metabolism. A longer period stimulated hormone secretion at elevated levels of saturated FAs (SFA) at the expense of MUFAs and PUFAs preferring the n-3 PUFA metabolism. Out of ovarian regulators, only LH and IGF-I were able to alter the secretion of steroids and IGF-I by small follicles of fattening pigs fed a basal diet. The effect of flaxseed on the secretion of follicular hormones after both supplemental periods was altered by all regulatory hormones in a dose-dependent manner. The level of SFAs and PUFAs in FF of large follicles increased with the length of flaxseed feeding, suggesting the suppression of ovulation.

Can flaxseed, chia or puncture vine affect mare ovarian cell functions and prevent the toxic effect of the environmental contaminant toluene?

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the potential effect of functional food plant extracts, namely, extracts of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), chia (Salvia hispanica) and puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris L.), on basic mare ovarian cell functions and their response to the environmental contaminant toluene. Mare granulosa cells were incubated with and without toluene (0, 0.02, 0.2 or 2.0 μg/mL) in the presence or absence of flaxseed, chia and puncture vine extracts (10 μg/mL). Markers of cell proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA) and apoptosis (accumulation of bax), viability (Trypan blue extrusion) and the release of progesterone (P), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F 2 alpha (PGF) were measured. Toluene reduced all other measured parameters except OT release. All the tested plants were able to reduce cell viability and the release of P and PGF, but they did not influence other indexes. Moreover, flaxseed mitigated toluene action on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, OT and PGF, whilst puncture vine prevented and inverted toluene action on P and PGF ourput. Chia extract did not modify toluene action on any parameter. On the other hand, toluene was able to promote the inhibitory action of flaxseed on cell viability and P release and to prevent the inhibitory action of all the plant extracts on PGF release. The present study (1) is the first demonstration, that flaxseed, chia and puncture vine can directly suppress mare ovarian cell functions, (2) shows that toluene can suppress basic ovarian cell functions and modify the reproductive effect of food plants and (3) demonstrates the ability of flaxseed and puncture vine, but not of chia, to prevent some toxic effect of toluene on mare ovarian cell functions.

Dysregulation of butyrylcholinesterase, BCHE gene SNP rs1803274, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in occupational workers

BACKGROUND

People in different occupations are exposed to a variety of xenobiotics which affect the health and physiological processes of the body. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), has been reported to play neuronal and non-neuronal roles, though its exact function is yet to be established. This study aimed to find the status and role of BChE in seven different occupational groups; gasoline fillers, auto-mechanics, carpenters, textile shop workers, furniture shop workers, electricians, and office workers.

METHODS

A total of 400 samples were screened. BChE activity was determined by Worek et al. method based on Ellman's principle. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Genotypic analysis of the K-variant of BCHE gene SNP was carried out by standard molecular methods. Among seven groups, office workers were taken as a control to compare the results with all other occupational groups.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant decrease in BChE activity in gasoline fillers (79.52%) followed by carpenters (73.49%), auto mechanics (39.76%), textile shop workers (18.07%), electricians (10.84%), and furniture shop workers (7.23%). TNF-α, IL-6, and IL1-β were elevated in all groups. IL-6 and IL1-β in gasoline fillers, and electricians were not statistically significantly increased. Binomial regression to determine the odd ratio was found to be significant (p < 0.05) in all groups. However, correlation (Pearson) did not reveal significance between different biochemical parameters. Genotypic analysis of the K-variant SNP of the BCHE gene showed a significant association with occupational groups when compared with control which indicates a possible association with xenobiotics exposure and the physiological role of K-variant in understudied occupational groups.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that BChE and its gene SNP rs 1803274 and proinflammatory cytokines significantly dysregulates under the exposure to cumulative multiple xenobiotics in different occupational groups which may lead to pathophysiological conditions.

Dietary Supplementation of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Alters Ovarian Functions of Xylene-Exposed Mice

The aim of the performed study was to examine the ability of xylene, flaxseed, and their combinations to affect morphological and endocrine indexes of murine ovaries. The 72 indexes of secondary and tertiary follicular cells, oocytes, corpora lutea, and ovarian stroma have been quantified: diameter, markers of proliferation PCNA and apoptosis caspase 3, receptors to FSH, oxytocin, estrogen (alpha and beta), and progesterone. In addition, concentrations of the ovarian hormones progesterone, estradiol, and IGF-I in the blood, as well as their production by isolated ovaries cultured with and without gonadotropins (FSH + LH mixture), were determined using histological, immunohistochemical, and immunoassay analyses. The character of xylene and flaxseed effects on ovarian functions in mice depended on the stage of ovarian folliculogenesis. It was shown that flaxseed could mitigate and prevent the major (63%) effects of xylene on the ovary. In addition, the ability of gonadotropins to affect ovarian hormone release and prevent its response to xylene has been shown. The effects of these additives could be mediated by changes in the release and reception of hormones. These observations suggest that flaxseed and possibly gonadotropins could be natural protectors of a female reproductive system against the adverse effects of xylene.