Omega-3-rich flaxseed protects lungs from X-rays

Flaxseed: these plant omega-3s protect the lungs from X-rays

Flaxseed, which is rich in Omega 3 and antioxidants, could be useful in increasing the effectiveness of therapies based on chest X-ray treatments. This is suggested in a study conducted on mice by a team of researchers coordinated by Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou, of the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, U.S.), published in Cancer Biology also Therapy. According to the researchers, taking these seeds before treatment increases the resistance of lung tissue to radiation.

Flaxseed, a source of anti-inflammatories and antioxidants

Flaxseeds are dietary sources of Omega-3, essential fatty acids with strong anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain within them molecules known as lignans, which instead have antioxidant properties. Christofidou-Solomidou and colleagues decided to test their potential in protecting tissues from thedamaging effect of X-rays, with which lung cancer patients are treated. In fact, 30% of individuals who must be treated with X-rays because of lung cancer report significant damage to healthy tissues after therapy. In 10-15% of cases, radiation therapy also causes lung damage in individuals with other cancers located in the chest. This side effect is mainly due to oxidative stress and inflammation triggered by the high doses of radiation required to make the therapy effective. To avoid damage, the dose of X-rays used should be reduced. Alternatively, the treatment could be combined with the administration of a radioprotective agent. However, prior to this research no one had evaluated the possibility that this protection could come from the Omega-3s and lignans found in flaxseed.

The study

The authors divided the mice into 2 groups:

• the diet of the first group was fortified with 10 percent flaxseed;
• the other animals received an identical diet, but without the supplement.

After 3 weeks, all mice were treated in the chest with the same dose of X-rays. After 24 hours, a reduction in the expression of certain molecules associated with oxidative stress was observed only in the animals that had taken flaxseed. This effect, the researchers explain, was due to the action of lignans. In fact, administration of these molecules to cells cultured in the laboratory reduced the production of factors responsible for oxidative stress generated by radiation. Theanti-inflammatory action of Omega-3s, on the other hand, resulted in reduced levels of inflammation cells in lung tissue 4 months after treatment. Finally, the administration of flaxseed protected the lungs from fibrosis.

Protection yes, but only for healthy tissue

The researchers emphasize the fact that flaxseed exerts protective action only on healthy lung tissue. In fact, when lung cancer cells were injected into mice, taking the supplement did not spare them from the effect of X-rays. For all these reasons, flaxseed could be a valuable aid in increasing theeffectiveness of radiotherapy.