Effect of flaxseed oil on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil consumption on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers, and oxidative stress in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, 34 HD patients were randomly assigned to either the flaxseed oil or the control group. The patients in the flaxseed oil group received 6 g/day flaxseed oil for 8 week, whereas the control group received 6 g/day medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil. At baseline and the end of week 8, serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (sVCAM-1), sE-selectin, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured after a 12- to 14-h fast. Results Serum hs-CRP, a systemic inflammation marker, and sVCAM-1, a vascular inflammation marker, reduced significantly in the flaxseed oil group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline (P < 0.05), and the reductions were significant in comparison with the MCT oil group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes in serum sICAM-1, sE-selectin, and MDA. Conclusion This study indicates that daily consumption of 6 g flaxseed oil reduces serum hs-CRP and sVCAM-1, which are two risk factors for CVD. Therefore, the inclusion of flaxseed oil in the usual diet of HD patients can be considered as a strategy for reducing CVD risk factors.