Can J Vet Res 66(4): 272-277

Flaxseed (<em>Linum usitatissimum</em>) supplementation associated with reduced skin test lesional area in horses with <em>Culicoides</em> hypersensitivity

Equine Research Centre, University of Guelph (McKee); Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne (Clarke).

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.

Abstract

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the generous financial support of Pizzey's Milling and Baking Company, the R. Howard Webster Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Also, our thanks are owed to the owners of Tigull, Fjülnir, Duna, Andi, Hreggur, and Ogri, who generously loaned their Icelandic horses for this trial.

Address all correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. W. O'Neill, Nutraceutical Alliance, 85 Keating St., Guelph, Ontario N1E 7G1; telephone: (519) 829-3541; fax: (519) 767-1081; e-mail: moc.ecnaillalacituecartun@llienow

Received November 13, 2001. Accepted May 17, 2002.

Footnotes

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