Evaluation of the effect of flaxseed oil and docosahexaenoic acid on hematological and oxidative stress markers of female Wistar rats with 7, 12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene‐induced breast cancer

Abstract The influence of flaxseed oil on tumor size, hematological and oxidative stress markers in female rats with 7,12‐Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐Induced Breast Cancer in comparison to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was evaluated. 36 female rats were used. Breast cancer was induced in 30 rats using DMBA. At week 19, a total of 23 had developed tumors; 18 of them were selected and randomized into three groups: the negative control, the positive control and test groups that respectively received distilled water (0.25 mL/kg), DHA (125 mg/kg) and flaxseed oil (1000 mg/kg) by gavaging every day for 28 days. The six rats that were not induced served as normal control. Tumor size was measured. The rats were sacrificed and the blood collected. Hematological markers were measured in the blood. The serum was used to measure the molecular tumor marker and total protein. Organs were collected and their homogenates prepared. Both serum and organ homogenates were analyzed for their protein and oxidative stress markers. Results revealed lower tumor sizes, cancer antigen marker CA15‐3, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde level and increased white blood cells, platelets, serum protein level, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, catalase activities in rats taking DHA and flaxseed oil compared to the negative control.