Dietary flaxseed protects against lung ischemia reperfusion injury via inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation in a murine model.

BACKGROUND

The hallmark of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the resultant oxidant stress has been implicated in apoptotic cell death as well as subsequent development of inflammation. Dietary flaxseed (FS) is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidants and has been shown to reduce lung IRI in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of FS in IRI remain to be determined.

METHODS

We used a mouse model of IRI with 60 min of ischemia followed by 180 min of reperfusion and evaluated the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of 10% FS dietary supplementation.

RESULTS

Mice fed 10% FS undergoing lung IRI had significantly lower levels of caspases and decreased apoptotic activity compared with mice fed 0% FS. Lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis demonstrated significantly reduced inflammatory infiltrate in mice fed with 10% FS diet. Additionally, 10% FS treated mice showed significantly increased expression of antioxidant enzymes and decreased markers of lung injury.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that dietary FS is protective against lung IRI in a clinically relevant murine model, and this protective effect may in part be mediated by the inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation.