Hypolipidemic effect of fat spreads containing flaxseed oil

The hypolipidemic effect of fat spreads containing flaxseed oil (rich plant source of longchain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) represents the aim of the present study. Such effect was biologically evaluated through assessment of four biochemical parameters that reflect the blood serum lipid profile, namely total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins and triglyceride levels during a feeding experiment for 8 successive weeks using male albino rats. Eight fat spreads containing 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% total fat were used; of these, four spreads were formulated using palm and flaxseed oils while the other four treatments were prepared by palm and soybean oils at the same concentrations. Results showed that fat spreads containing flaxseed oil exerted reducing effect on total cholesterol, LDL levels, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios at higher rates compared with those containing soybean oil or pharmaceutical product especially after 8 weeks of feeding experiment. Levels of HDL in animals administered the studied fat spreads were lowered at significant to insignificant different rates. Flaxseed oil exerted its beneficial effect when it was incorporated into formulation at high amounts since G6 (FPB3, containing 29.5% flaxseed oil) and G8 (FPB4, containing 39% flaxseed oil) animal groups exerted higher/comparative levels of HDL after 8 weeks of feeding compared to the initial concentration. Concerning triglycerides levels, all studied groups (except G8, FPB4) and controls showed significant higher levels at the end of feeding experiment compared to initial concentration. On the other hand, animals received the highest% of flaxseed oil (G8, FPB4) exerted its healthy effect as triglycerides levels were decreased from 104.3 mg/dL at zero time to 92.7 mg/dL after 4 weeks of feeding with decreasing rate of 11.1%, another reducing effect was noted after 8 weeks as triglycerides levels were significantly decreased to 79.7 mg/dL (decreasing rate of 23.6%).