Dietary flaxseed oil reduces adipocyte size, adipose monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels and T-cell infiltration in obese, insulin-resistant rats

► Flaxseed oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA). ► Dietary flaxseed oil reduced adipocyte size in obese Zucker rats. ► Pro-inflammatory MCP-1 and TNF-α levels were decreased 5-fold in adipose tissue of flaxseed oil-fed obese rats. ► T-cell infiltration in adipose tissue was reduced in rats fed flaxseed oil. ► Flaxseed oil appears to improve adipose tissue function and reduce inflammation in obesity.