The effects of flaxseed oil on cadmium-induced oxidative stress in rats

In the present study, the effects of flaxseed oil on the oxidant-antioxidant system in cadmium intoxication were investigated in rats. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups (group 1). No treatment was applied to the control group. On the other hand, groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered with 0.1 ml/rat/day (∼500 mg/kg bw) flaxseed oil by gavage into the stomach, 50 ppm of cadmium (∼4 mg/kg bw) in ad libitum drinking water, and 0.1 ml/rat/day flaxseed oil plus 50 ppm of cadmium, respectively, for 30 days. At the end of the study, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in blood and tissue (liver, lung, kidney, brain, heart, and testes) samples. While malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels increased in the group given cadmium compared to the control group; in the meantime, there were some significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. These changes were observed, the trends of decrease or increase compared to the control group. There were positive changes in parameters of the group given with flaxseed oil plus cadmium compared to the group receiving cadmium alone, in other words, values were seen coming close to control group. As a result, cadmium exposure caused oxidative damage to erythrocytes and organs at varying rates, while flaxseed oil reduced the severity of cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation. Therefore, it was concluded that flaxseed oil can be used among compounds as a therapeutic agent or food additive for prophylaxis in cadmium intoxication.