Evaluation of attenuative potential of flaxseeds in high-calorie, high-fat, and fructose-induced metabolic syndrome indicators in Wistar rats without dietary reversal

The study investigates the effects of flaxseed extract on metabolic syndrome parameters in male Wistar rats fed a high-calorie, high-fat, and fructose diet, without diet reversal, in response to the increasing incidence of western diet-induced obesity-associated metabolic syndrome and the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of flaxseeds. Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 8 per group); the first group (normal controls) received a standard diet. The second group (metabolic syndrome controls) received a high-calorie, high-fat diet and fructose for 16 weeks, with induction observed at 8 weeks. The third and fourth groups received a high-calorie, high-fat diet and fructose for 16 weeks, with flaxseed extract initiated after 8 weeks at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body weight/day (post-exposure groups). The fifth and sixth groups received a high-calorie, high-fat diet supplemented with fructose and flaxseed extract at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body weight/day for 16 weeks (co-exposure groups). Whereas the seventh group (flaxseed controls) received a regular diet and flaxseed extract (1.0 g/kg body weight/day) orally for 16 weeks. High-dose flaxseed extract reduces body weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides (TAGs), uric acid, and total oxidant status, while increasing high-density lipoprotein levels. Liver histopathology indicates that co-exposure to high-dose flaxseed extract protects against fructose-induced hepatic steatosis. Thus, without dietary alterations, flaxseeds lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and TAG, and improve hepatic steatosis, thereby attenuating metabolic syndrome markers induced by high-calorie, high-fat, and fructose diets.