Effect of low-dose omega-3 fatty acids substitution on blood pressure, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in Indians with essential hypertension: A pilot study

The comparison of omega-3 and flaxseed oil on serum lipids and lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic male rats

Hyperlipidemia affects a significant number of patients despite treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs. Due to the low efficacy of synthetic drugs, there is a need for new agents with low side effects. Therefore, the effects of flaxseeds oil and animal omega-3 on the hyperlipidemic rats were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups (n = 10): 1) control group that was fed with a standard diet (pallets). 2) high-fat diet (HFD) control group that was fed with high-fat food for 42 days, 3) Omega-3 group that received HFD for 21 days, followed by HFD + omega-3 capsule (600 mg/kg; 21 days/gavage), and 4) flaxseed oil group that received HFD for 21 days, followed by HFD + flaxseed oil (10 ml/kg; 21 days/gavage). Blood samples were collected three times and at the stages one to third of the experiment from the rats' tail. The results showed that high levels of fat significantly increased cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the flaxseed, HFD control, and omega-3 groups in the second stages of the experiment. Inverse, omega-3 or flaxseed oil supplementation decreased cholesterol, TG, and LDL levels and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in comparison with the HFD control group in the third stages of the experiment. There was no significant difference in the studied parameters between the flaxseed- and omega-3-treated groups. It can be concluded that flaxseed oil similar to omega-3 is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

The role of nutrition and nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of hypertension

Vascular biology, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle and cardiac dysfunction play a primary role in the initiation and perpetuation of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and target organ damage. Nutrient-gene interactions and epigenetics are predominant factors in promoting beneficial or detrimental effects in cardiovascular health and hypertension. Macronutrients and micronutrients can prevent, control and treat hypertension through numerous mechanisms related to vascular biology. Oxidative stress, inflammation and autoimmune dysfunction initiate and propagate hypertension and cardiovascular disease. There is a role for the selected use of single and component nutraceutical supplements, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals in the treatment of hypertension based on scientifically controlled studies which complement optimal nutrition, coupled with other lifestyle modifications.

Metabolomics as a powerful tool for molecular quality assessment of the fish Sparus aurata

The molecular profiles of perchloric acid solutions extracted from the flesh of Sparus aurata fish specimens, produced according to different aquaculture systems, have been investigated. The (1)H-NMR spectra of aqueous extracts are indicative of differences in the metabolite content of fish reared under different conditions that are already distinguishable at their capture, and substantially maintain the same differences in their molecular profiles after sixteen days of storage under ice. The fish metabolic profiles are studied by top-down chemometric analysis. The results of this exploratory investigation show that the fish metabolome accurately reflects the rearing conditions. The level of many metabolites co-vary with the rearing conditions and a few metabolites are quantified including glycogen (stress indicator), histidine, alanine and glycine which all display significant changes dependent on the aquaculture system and on the storage times.