Flaxseed and its importance

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of flaxseed on menopausal symptoms and quality of life throughout the menopausal period. The empirical research was conducted in an obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department of a university hospital and involved 140 menopausal women who were divided into 4 groups. The menopausal symptoms decreased and the quality of life increased among the women who used flaxseed for 3 months.

Context: Flaxseed constituents provide to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing benefits. Aims: To systematically review the experimental evidence on the wound healing ability of flaxseed extracts and formulations. Methods: Comprehensive searches in six databases (Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Dimensions) were carried out from the beginning of databases until December 2020, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The terms used in searches were (Linum usitatissimum L., flaxseed, linseed, flax) AND (extract) AND (wound heal, heal, heal type, wound) for collection of articles, with only articles in English and research articles were included. Transgenic term were excluded. AXIS tool was chosen to assess the quality and risk of bias. The data were then categorised in term of extracts, laboratory formulation, and wound healing. Results: In total, 999 articles were collected and screened based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 10 articles were included in the review. The majority of publications reported significant findings of flaxseed oil on wound healing regardless of extraction method and formulation. Healing parameters on excision, incision, and burn wound models were studied. Lack of laboratory formulation mentioned in the collected articles gave limitation impact on this study. Conclusions: Flaxseed oil formulation appears to exert a positive effect on wound healing. Therefore, extensive studies needed to evaluate the transportation of flaxseed phytochemicals into skin dermis by advanced drug formulation.

In our work the comparative analysis of plant growth stimulating activity of low molecular
weight five and six-membered heterocyclic compounds derivatives of [1,3]oxazolo[5,4-
d]pyrimidine and N-sulfonyl substituted of 1,3-oxazole synthesized at the Institute of Bioorganic
Chemistry and Petrochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and plant hormones
auxins IAA and NAA was conducted. It was found that all tested heterocyclic compounds used at
the concentration 10-9M revealed high auxin-like growth stimulating activity on the flax (Linum
usitatissimum L.) of cultivar Svitanok. The growth parameters of 20th-day-old seedlings of flax
grown on the 10-9M water solutions of heterocyclic compounds were in general higher of the
growth parameters of seedlings grown on the water solution of auxins IAA and NAA used in the
same concentration 10-9M and control seedlings grown on the distilled water as follows: according
with length of seedlings – at the 11-14%, 13-16% and 21-24% as compared with control, IAA, and
NAA, respectively; according with total length of roots – at the 24-80 %, 15-35 %, and 10-68 % as
compared with control, IAA, and NAA, respectively; according with total number of roots – at the
28-79 %, 14-27 %, and 5-12 % as compared with control, IAA, and NAA, respectively (Figure 1).
It was found that growth stimulating activity of these compounds was various depending on
plant species and different substituents in the chemical structure of heterocyclic compounds. The
highest activity revealed the compound 5-(4-ethylphenyl)-2-phenyl[1,3]oxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidin-
7(6H)-one, which contains 4-ethylphenyl substituent at the 5th position and oxygen at the 7th
position of pyrimidine fragment and compound 2-phenyl-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)-1,3-oxazole-4-
carbonitrile, which contains phenyl substituent at the 2th position of oxazole. Possibly, the high
stimulating effect of these compounds may be depended from substituents at the 5th and 7th
positions of pyrimidine fragment in the compounds derivatives of [1,3]oxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidine
and substituents at the 2th position of oxazole in the compounds derivatives N-sulfonyl substituted
of 1,3-oxazole.
Obtained data confirmed perceptiveness of application of derivatives of [1,3]oxazolo[5,4-
d]pyrimidine and N-sulfonyl substituted of 1,3-oxazole in the agricultural practice for
intensification of growth and development of flax.

Despite the extensive availability and use of plant extracts as feed additives in various livestock species, peer-reviewed and scientific evidence of their usage in horses is lacking. This article dealt with the review of reports from recent studies investigating the usage of plant bioactives or extracts in horse nutrition. For the time being, several herbs, either alone or in composites, are being commercialized and openly available in horsemarket stores, which makes it difficult and confusing for horse owners and veterinarians to make a justifiable choice. Usage of ginger extract as a feed additive in sport horses is encourageable as it manages to attain quick recovery after exhaustion in racing and jumping events. Garlic, ginseng, primerose, and rose hip possess potent antioxidative properties, and their supplemen-tation in a regular diet may lessen the chance of occurrence of oxidative stress-related diseases. Owing to their cytoprotective and mucus-stimulatory effects, licorice and Aloe vera extracts have potentiality as feed additives in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses, as they are more prone for equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Echinacea is able to stimulate the equine immunocompetence on addition to the regular diets of equine species. Besides the anti-inflammatory effect, devils claw possess anorexigenic effect, which can limit feed intake, thus keeping the body condition score in check and avoiding obese-related health problems in horses. Regularizing flaxseed meal or its extract as a dietary supplement may support healthy skin and coat condition due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids as an active component. Aloe vera, well known for cytoprotective and mucus-stimulatory effects, is found to be efficient in protecting the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers or other disorders on administering as a dietary supplement to equines, but the extent of effect depends on the dosage and extent of supplementation. Although, theoretically plant extracts application is safer compared with synthetic antibiotics or drugs, it does not mean they are completely safe, and few considerations should be given for dosage of the drug, period of administration, apart from monitoring parallel drugs given to prevent herb-drug interactions. The plant extracts with potent benefits, and not tested in horses have to be evaluated with a primary objective to verify the negative side effects, if any, followed by standardization of the dosage.

Moisture sorption isotherm of ground flaxseed was determined at three different storage temperatures (25°C, 35°C and 45°C)
and relative humidity (10-85%), using the standard static gravimetric method. The GAB, modified Henderson, modified Oswin
and modified Halsey sorption model were tested to fit the experimental data. A nonlinear regression analysis method was used to
evaluate the constants of four sorption equations. The modified Oswin and GAB model were found to be acceptable in predicting the moisture sorption isotherms of ground flaxseed.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes due to thiacloprid toxicity, and the potential protective role of flaxseed oil in male Wistar albino rats. Subacute thiacloprid intoxication induced a significant increase in RBCs, Hb, PCV, and WBCs count, and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) formation. Moreover, there was a significant increase in serum biochemical parameters related to hepatic injury: alanine ami-notransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum total protein and albumin levels were significantly reduced. Thiacloprid increases tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukine-2(IL-2). There was a significant decrease in glutathione-S-transferase, while the lipid peroxidation (MDA) and cytochrome P450 activity were significantly increased. Flaxseed oil coadministration partially retrieved the changes in all studied parameters. Thiacloprid induced histopatholog-ical liver damage, which was minimized as a result of flaxseed oil treatment. In general, it was concluded that, flaxseed oil able to protect against thiacloprid-induced hepatoxicity.

Flax (Linum sp.) was one of the first domestic plants in Neolithic Europe, providing a potential cultivable source of fibres for the first farmers. As the plant provides both oil and fibre, it is a matter of enquiry as to whether the plant was first domesticated for its seeds or stem. Through examining new data collected by the EUROEVOL Project, UCL it is possible to chart the earliest archaeobotanical evidence for flax species in Europe. This provides the basis on which to consider the origin of fibres from the flax plant (linen) as a basis for change and innovation in the fibre resources used for textiles. These are then explored from a technological and material perspective. From a technological perspective I compare the chaîne opératoire of linen with contemporary sources of fibre, namely tree bast fibres and other wild resources in central and northern Europe. From a material perspective I compare the physical properties of linen, willow and lime bast fibres together with observations from experimental archaeology to consider the material qualities of the linen in relation to other available fibres resources. Through these approaches this paper suggests that flax had a special role as a fibre domesticate in Europe, providing a versatile, valuable resource for the production and use of textiles during the Neolithic period.

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors that precipitate coronary heart disease and
atherosclerosis. In the present study, the effect of flaxseed oil supplementation on serum lipid profile,
apolipoprotein A (apo A), apolipoprotein B (apo B), Lipoprotein a Lp(a), homocysteine and endotheline-1
(ET-1) in high cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats have been evaluated. This study was
carried out on 60 male rats. The rats were divided into four equal groups of 15 rats each. Group Ι :( Control
group): rats fed on normal diet. Group Π: Rats fed with hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) [4% cholesterol
(w/w) and 1% cholic acid] and received no drug all over the period of the experiment. Group III: Rats fed
with HCD + administrated flaxseed oil (270 mg/kg, body weight/day orally) after two weeks from induction
of hypercholesterolemia. Group IV: Rats fed with normal diet + administrated with flaxseed oil (270 mg/kg,
body weight/day orally) after two weeks from the onset of the experiment. Blood samples were collected
from all animal groups three times at 2, 4 and 6 weeks from the onset of treatment with flaxseed oil. The
obtained results showed that, cholesterol-induced hypercholesterolemia caused a marked increase in serum
total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, LDL-C, VLDL-C, phospholipids, lipoprotein A, Apo B, endothelin-1 and
homocysteine. On the other hand, a significant decrease in serum HDL–C and Apo A were observed in high
cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats. Treatment with flaxseed oil to high cholesterol dietinduced
hypercholesterolemia rats lowered serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, LDL-C, VLDL-C,
phospholipid, endothelin-1 and homocysteine concentration in addition to increasing HDL-C and Apo A.
These results suggest that, flaxseed oil may be effective in controlling cholesterolemic status and improving
dyslipidemia and has the potential in reducing cardiovascular complications due to hypercholesterolemia.

The comparative analysis of the stimulating effect of low molecular weight heterocyclic compounds, derivatives of pyrimidine, pyrazole, isoflavones, pyridine, oxazolopyrimidine, oxazole and plant hormones auxins IAA (1H-Indol-3-ylacetic acid) and NAA (1-Naphthylacetic acid) on germination of seeds and growth of seedlings of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars Ukrainian 3 and Svitanok was conducted. The specific auxin-like stimulating effect of chemical heterocyclic compounds on the basic processes of flax seedlings growth: cell division, cell proliferation, cell elongation and cell differentiation was found. The growth parameters of flax seedlings grown on water solution of chemical heterocyclic compounds used at the concentrations 10-8 M and 10-9 M were similar or higher of the growth parameters of flax seedlings grown on distilled water (control) or on water solution of auxins IAA and NAA used at the same concentrations 10-8 M and 10-9 M. The obtained results proved the possibility of practical application o f derivatives of pyrimidine, pyrazole, isoflavones, pyridine, oxazolopyrimidine and oxazole for intensification of vegetative growth of flax.
Keywords: Linum usitatissimum L., auxins IAA and NAA, pyrimidine, pyrazole, isoflavones, pyridine, oxazolopyrimidine, oxazole.

Proteins were isolated from defatted flaxseed cake and hydrolysed with pancreatin. The hydrolysis process was conducted at a stable temperature of 50°C and pH 7.5, and monitored with the pH-stat method. The obtained hydrolysates with a degree of  hydrolysis (DH) of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25% were investigated in terms of antioxidant properties. The radical scavenging activity was assayed against DPPH• and ABTS•+, the reducing ability – with FRAP assay, and the capability to bind Fe(II) – by reaction with ferrozine. SE-HPLC analysis was used to determine molecular weight distribution of hydrolysis products.
The antiradical activity of pancreatin hydrolysates of flaxseed proteins was increasing along with an increasing DH and for the hydrolysate with DH 25% the EC50 value determined with the DPPH assay accounted for 0.083 mg/assay, and the ABTS•+ scavenging activity – for 0.218 mmol Trolox/g. This hydrolysate was constituted mainly by peptides with low molecular weights (MW) of 0.238-0.556 kDa. In turn, the Fe(II) binding capability increased from 44.5% to 64.9% in the case of hydrolysates with DH 5-20% and decreased in the case of the hydrolysate with DH 25%. A similar dependency was observed in the ability of pancreatin hydrolysates of flaxseed proteins to reduce Fe(III). The maximum value of reducing ability reached 0.25 mmol Fe(II)/g for the hydrolysate with DH 20% that was predominated by polypeptides and peptides with MW of 0.238-1.046 Da.

Flax in Ezinge - recognisability of linen production in the terps area During the excavations in the terp of Ezinge in the 1920’s and 1930’s, woollen cloth, many spindle whorls and loom weights, and also seeds and stem fragments of flax were found. While it is clear that textiles were produced locally, it is not certain that linen was produced besides woollen textiles. This paper concentrates on the production process, in order to better understand the kind of traces that are indicative of linen production. In Ezinge, indications for linen production consist of
straight, thin stem fragments of flax, a possible pit for water retting, a shiny, worked cattle rib fragment that may have been used for scutching,
and a forked branch near a skeleton that may have served as a distaff. These few finds make it likely that from around 500 BC, flax was not
only grown for its seed, but also for its fibres.

The present work reports the physical properties and chemical make-up of two flaxseeds cultivars NL-115 (hybrid) and LM-001 (native) of Indian origin. The flaxseeds cultivars exhibited variations in dimensions include length, width, thickness and diameter increase linearly with increase in moisture content. The retention of moisture by the seeds depends on their chemical constituents.The geometric properties
increased as the moisture content increased. The bulk density, rupture force, deformation and energy absorbed decreased linearly while true density, porosity, thousand seed mass, angle of repose and static coefficient of friction increased linearly with increasing moisture content. The dimensional parameters such as length, width and thickness varied from 4.74 to 4.79 mm, 2.41 to 2.47 mm, and 0.98 to 1.10 mm, respectively. While, bulk density, true density, porosity and thousand kernel weight found to vary in the range of 630.03 to 640.66 kg/m3, 866.50to 868.50 kg/m3, 26.23to 27.29% and 7.56to 6.59 g, respectively. The static coefficient of friction found to vary from 0.43 to 0.59 and angle of repose from 270.001to 270. 551. The flaxseed variety NL-115 was found to be slightly larger and cream colored than dark colored LM-001 in appearance.

Four multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin-square design experiment to study the effects of different fat sources on milk production and composition , N utilization, follicular development, and prosta-glandin secretion. Cows were fed 4 total mixed rations (TMR) based either on calcium salts of palm oil (Mega-lac), whole flaxseed, whole sunflower seed, or no supplementary fat (control). Feed intake and digestibilities were generally similar among treatments, except that ether extract digestibility was the lowest for cows fed the control diet. Milk yields were greater for cows fed whole flaxseed and Megalac (32.1 and 31.5 kg/d, respectively) than for those fed sunflower seed and control (25.9 and 24.8 kg/d, respectively). Milk protein concentration was significantly lower for cows fed Megalac (3.68%) compared with those fed flaxseed (3.87%) or control (3.92%). Concentrations of n-3 fatty acids and the n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ratio in milk were the highest and lowest, respectively, for cows fed whole flaxseed. There was an interaction between treatment and time for levels of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF 2α in plasma; they were greater 30 and 45 min after the oxytocin challenge for cows that were fed sunflower seed compared with those fed either Megalac, flaxseed, or control. Moreover, when concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF 2α in plasma were expressed as the area under the overall response curve from 0 to 120 min after the oxytocin injection, it tended to be greater for cows that were fed the sunflower diet compared with those fed either Megalac or flaxseed. In general, follicle dynamics were similar among treatments. These results suggest that feeding diets with high proportions of n-6 fatty acids (61% of total fatty acids for the sunflower 3889 seed diet) tended to increase the secretion of series 2 prostaglandins in blood. Abbreviation key: CL = corpus luteum, CON = concentrate without fat, FA = fatty acids, FLA = concentrate based on whole flaxseed, MEG = concentrate based on calcium salts of palm oil (Megalac), PG = prostaglandins, PGFM = 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF 2α , SUN = concentrate based on whole sunflower seed.

a cura di Assunta Perilli e Romina Laurito.

Come ormai dal 2002 ad oggi, in questi giorni il secchio, i semi di lino e gli stivaletti di gomma sono già pronti dietro la porta!
Quest'anno la nostra filiera avrà una piega differente perché invece che con l'occhio della tradizione (come sempre finora) la guarderemo con un taglio scientifico legato al mondo dell'archeologia sperimentale.
Da alcuni anni con le archeologhe Romina Laurito e Cristina Lemorini stiamo affrontando le problematiche legate al mondo della tessitura e della filatura partendo dalle tracce d'uso sugli strumenti archeologici.
Un grosso lavoro che mette in discussione tanti gesti che sembravano scontati e che propongono nuovi interrogativi  che non pensavamo di dover affrontare.
Perciò, quest'anno abbiamo deciso di "ricominciare" dal seme.
Lo faremo domenica prossima 31 maggio e lo vorremmo condividere con tutti coloro che ne fossero interessati.
Questo per far sì che chiunque possa sollevare problematiche su cui poi filosofeggiare o filosolfeggiare con noi e, perché no, dipanare tante incognite.
Per quest'anno il programma è semplice e poco articolato ...l'anno prossimo chissà!
Alle 10.30 ci ritroveremo a Campotosto (AQ) davanti "La Fonte della Tessitura" per raggiungere poi il terreno in località la Macchiola. Un terreno arato che gode di un clima ottimo per la coltivazione del lino grazie alla sua vicinanza con il lago. Dopo la semina continueremo la passeggiata e mangeremo un panino sul lago avanzando ipotesi...e forse filando!

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Per chi volesse saperne di più:
http://tessituraamanodiassuntaperilli.blogspot.it/
http://ctr.hum.ku.dk/people/staff-list/?pure=en/persons/477364
https://ku-dk.academia.edu/RominaLaurito
https://uniroma1.academia.edu/cristinalemorini

In the presented research, five different ratios of flaxseed powder (FSP) (0, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1%) were used in yoghurt production, and the samples were stored overall 28 days at refrigerator (+4 °C). The effect of FSP and the storage period on acidity, pH, syneresis, water holding capacity, rheological, viscosity, colorimetric, microbiological, and sensory properties of yoghurts were investigated. The acidity, syneresis values of yoghurt samples decreased with the addition of FSP, conversely, the pH, water holding capacity values of the samples increased. The increments in the viscosity (50 and 100 rpm) and consistency coefficient values were observed depending upon the FSP ratio except for the sample containing 1% FSP. All yoghurt samples had pseudoplastic flow behavior. It was determined that the colorimetric parameters of samples changed significantly with the addition of FSP. The L* and white index values of samples containing FSP decreased. Other colorimetric parameters indicated significant differences based on the addition of FSP and storage. The addition of FSP was not caused any negative effect on counts of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and mouldsyeasts counts were consistent with the Codex Alimentarius and the Turkish Food Codex. The sample containing 1% FSP had the lowest evaluation scores in terms of all sensory properties. Therefore, FSP should not use more than 0.75%. Using of the 0.25% FSP in yoghurts could recommend for improve physicochemical, rheological and sensory properties of yoghurts. HIGHLIGHTS • Effects of the addition of flaxseed powder (FSP) were examined on yoghurts. • The FSP improved syneresis and water holding capacity of yoghurts. • The FSP enhanced viscosity and rheological properties of yoghurts. • Microbiological properties of FSP added yoghurts was coherent with legal. • The sensory properties of FSP added yogurts were acceptable except for one containing 1%. •. • Insert a highlight no longer than 85 characters.

Diet-induced obesity is often modeled by comparing mice fed high-fat diet (HFD), which is made from purified ingredients, vs. normal chow diet (NCD), which is a low-fat assemblage of relatively unrefined plant and animal products. The mechanism by which HFD promotes adiposity is complex but thought to involve low-grade inflammation and altered gut microbiota. Investigate the extent to which HFD-induced adiposity is driven by fat content vs. other factors that differentiate HFD vs. NCD. Mice were fed NCD, HFD, or other compositionally-defined diets (CDD), designed to mimic NCD and/or explore the role of HFD components. A range of metabolic parameters reflecting low-grade inflammation and adiposity were assayed. Relative to NCD, HFD, and to a lesser but nonetheless significant extent, CDD induced increased adiposity indicating both lipid content and other aspects of HFD are obesogenic. Moreover, HFD and CDD induced a rapid and marked loss of cecal and colonic mass. Such CDD-induced ef...

Abstract: Plant finds from Neolithic and Bronze Age
wetland sites in the Alpine region are usually extraordinarily
well preserved and thereby offer realms of possibilities
to study the relationship between plants and
humans in the past. Changes in the importance of cultivating
oil- and/or fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in
the period between the 43rd and the 20th century BC are
discussed. These changes might be explained by innovations
in textile production at the same time. Thus, the
study is considered to be relevant for both archaeologists
and archaeobotanists.
Flax seeds from 33 Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland
sites were measured. The results show that two transitions
in seed size occurred in the entire Alpine region. From the
38th century BC onwards a new variety of flax with smaller
seeds was cultivated, and at the same time textile tools
such as loom weights and spindle whorls, as well as textiles
made of flax increased. In all sites that have been
analysed so far, this small-seeded variety that produces a
much higher amount of fibres in their stems than the oil
variety, dominate from the 35th century onwards. However,
during the 3rd millennium a change recurred. Increased
flax seed size from locations dated to the 20th century indicates
the cultivation of an oil variety. Presumably, fibre
flax had lost its importance in favour of usage of animal
fibres for textile production.
Keywords: Flax, Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Alpine
region, wetland sites

Diet-induced obesity is often modeled by comparing mice fed high-fat diet (HFD), which is made from purified ingredients, vs. normal chow diet (NCD), which is a low-fat assemblage of relatively unrefined plant and animal products. The mechanism by which HFD promotes adiposity is complex but thought to involve low-grade inflammation and altered gut microbiota. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which HFD-induced adiposity is driven by fat content vs. other factors that differentiate HFD vs. NCD. Mice were fed NCD, HFD, or other compositionally defined diets (CDD), designed to mimic NCD and/or explore the role of HFD components. A range of metabolic parameters reflecting low-grade inflammation and adiposity were assayed. Relative to NCD, HFD, and to a lesser, but, nonetheless, significant extent, CDD induced increased adiposity, indicating both lipid content and other aspects of HFD are obesogenic. Moreover, HFD and CDD induced a rapid and marked loss of cecal and colonic mass. Such CDD-induced effects were not affected by adjusting dietary protein levels/types but could be largely eliminated by exchanging insoluble fiber (cellulose) for soluble fiber (inulin). Replacing cellulose with inulin in HFD also protected mice against decreased intestinal mass, hyperphagia, and increased adiposity. Such beneficial effects of inulin were microbiota dependent, correlated with elevated fecal short-chain fatty acid levels analyzed via (1)H-NMR-based metabolomics and were partially recapitulated by administration of short-chain fatty acid. HFD-induced obesity is strongly promoted by its lack of soluble fiber, which supports microbiota-mediated intestinal tissue homeostasis that prevents inflammation driving obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The aims of the current study were to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of flaxseed powder on some hormonal profile and genomic DNA concentration of Karadi male lambs. Twelve healthy Karadi ram lambs, 6 months old, were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (4 lambs/group); and the treatments were as follow for two months; 0% considered as control group, 4% as a low level (T1), and 8% of flaxseed as a high level (T2) in their feed. Blood samples were collected from each ram lambs every two weeks, serum was separated immediately after sampling, testosterone, estradiol, growth hormone (GH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and Thyroxine (T4) were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from each samples. The results showed that testosterone hormone concentration decreased significantly in T2 group (1.575±0.004 n.mol / l) in comparison to control group (6.95±1.992 n.mol / l). Estradiol hormone level significantly increased in T1 (293±4.2 P.mol/l) in comparison to control a...

The aims of the current study were to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of flaxseed powder on some hormonal profile and genomic DNA concentration of Karadi male lambs. Twelve healthy Karadi ram lambs, 6 months old, were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (4 lambs/group); and the treatments were as follow for two months; 0% considered as control group, 4% as a low level (T1), and 8% of flaxseed as a high level (T2) in their feed. Blood samples were collected from each ram lambs every two weeks, serum was separated immediately after sampling, testosterone, estradiol, growth hormone (GH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and Thyroxine (T4) were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from each samples. The results showed that testosterone hormone concentration decreased significantly in T2 group (1.575±0.004 n.mol / l) in comparison to control group (6.95±1.992 n.mol / l). Estradiol hormone level significantly increased in T1 (293±4.2 P.mol/l) in comparison to control and T2 (128.5±5.485 and 139±8.083 P.mol/l) respectively. A positive significant effect of flaxseed recorded on growth hormone, which its level increased in T2 group (120±2 ng/ul) in comparison to T1 group (81.5±1 ng/ul). TSH concentration increased significantly in T1 and T2 groups (13.5±2 and 14.5±1 U/ml, respectively) in comparison to control group (7±1.5 U/ml), while T4 hormone was not affected. Flaxseed supplementation caused a significant decrease in Genomic DNA concentration in T2 group (56.2 ng) in comparison to control (28.7 ng). In conclusion, adding flaxseed in lamb rations caused a significant decrease of testosterone, increased estradiol concentration, also each of growth hormone and TSH hormones increased significantly, T4 not affected. This decrease in genomic DNA concentration with flaxseed supplementation may due to one of the mechanisms by which phytoestrogens may influence reproductive physiology that involve in inhibition of enzymes essential for DNA replication.

Flax seed lignans concentrate is thought to be prime source of potential antioxidants of therapeutic importance. The possibility of heavy metals contamination in any given plant based extracts is not uncommon. The aim of this work was to evaluate the heavy metals in the lignans
concentrates prepared from defatted flaxseed -hull fraction. The lignans concentrates prepared by two different methods were rich in SDG components as estimated HPLC analysis. The lignans concentrates method was found to be 2.4 gm/kg in comparison to Westcott method
estimated to be 0.5 gm/kg of defatted hull. From both the methods, the SDG content in lignans concentrates from Elliasonet al method was found to be remarkably higher. The determination of Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cd, Pb, As and Hg in lignans concentrates by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS) were found within the detection limits 0.022 for Cu (324.8 nm), Cr (357.9 nm), Mn (279.5 nm), Fe (248.3 nm), Ni (232.0 nm), Cd (228.8 nm), and Pb (217.0 nm), similarly 0.0002 for As (193.7 nm) and Hg (253.7 nm),
respectively, indicating negligible contamination. The purpose of preparing lignans concentrates with almost negligible limit of heavy metals for its safe use was achieved.