Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on the skin test response of atopic horses. Six horses that displayed a positive skin test for allergy to extract from Culicoides sp. participated in the 42-day, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial. Results showed that supplementation with flaxseed for 42 days in our experimental horses reduced the mean skin test response to Culicoides sp. This observation was concurrent with a significant decrease in the long-chain saturated fatty acids; behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid (24:0), in the hair of horses receiving flaxseed. There was also a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase, and increase in serum glucose in the treatment animals at specific sampling points. It was concluded that; in this small pilot study, flaxseed was able to reduce the lesional area of the skin test response of atopic horses, alter the fatty acid profile of the hair, reduce inflammation, and did not elicit any negative side-effects in the experimental horses.
Publication Date: 2002-11-07 PubMed ID: 12418783PubMed Central: PMC227015
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the effect of flaxseed supplementation on the skin reactions of horses with a certain type of allergy. The researchers found a notable reduction in the skin test response area when horses were given flaxseed supplements for a given period of time.
Study Design and Participants
- The research was a 42-day placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial, meaning that neither the researchers nor the participants knew which treatment they were receiving and both the flaxseed and placebo were given to each horse at different times.
- The study involved six horses that had shown an allergic reaction to the Culicoides sp. extract via a skin test, indicating the presence of Culicoides hypersensitivity.
Flaxseed Supplementation and Its Effect
- Flaxseed supplementation was given to the horses for 42 days.
- The results showed that flaxseed supplementation meant a significant reduction in the skin testing response in horses allergic to the Culicoides sp. extract.
- Following the flaxseed consumption, the researchers observed an associated decrease in the long-chain saturated fatty acids – behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid (24:0) – in the horses’ hair.
Other Findings
- While the researchers couldn’t definitively establish causation, a significant decrease was noted in aspartate aminotransferase – an enzyme linked to liver function and inflammatory processes. This decrease was along with the horses’ response to flaxseed supplementation at specific data collection times.
- An increase in serum glucose in the treatment animals was also observed at specific phases of the trial.
- No negative side effects were observed in the horses that received the flaxseed supplementation, suggesting that it was well-tolerated.
Conclusions
- The study provides initial evidence that flaxseed supplementation might help in reducing the skin testing response against Culicoides sp. in horses.
- Furthermore, the consumption of flaxseed showed alterations to the fatty acid profile in the horses’ hair and decreased markers of inflammation, suggesting further avenues for exploration in the role of flaxseed supplementation for managing horse allergies.
Cite This Article
APA
O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF.
(2002).
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity.
Can J Vet Res, 66(4), 272-277.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Nutraceutical Alliance, Guelph, Ontario. woneill@nutraceuticalalliance.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
- Blood Glucose
- Ceratopogonidae
- Cross-Over Studies
- Dermatitis, Atopic / etiology
- Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
- Dermatitis, Atopic / prevention & control
- Dermatitis, Atopic / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements
- Double-Blind Method
- Fatty Acids / analysis
- Flax
- Hair / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Phytotherapy
- Pilot Projects
- Skin Tests / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
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This article includes 20 references
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