Yeong Rhee and Ardith Brunt, assistant professors of health, nutrition and exercise, recently published two manuscripts. “Effects of Flaxseed Lignan on In Vitro Mitogen-Stimulated T Cell Proliferation” was published in The Journal of Applied Research. “Flaxseed Lignan Increased Glucose Update by Human Red Blood Cells” was published in The Open Nutraceuticals.

The study determined the effects of flaxseed lignan (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) on in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens. Rhee and Brunt found no significant effects of flaxseed lignan on lymphocyte proliferation. The results of the study indicated that flaxseed lignan also has no effects on the immune response.

The objective of the second study was to determine if flaxseed lignan would improve glucose uptake by human red blood cells. According to Rhee and Brunt, red blood cells pretreated with flaxseed lignan showed an increase in glucose uptake compared to control or red blood cells pretreated with flaxseed lignan.

“In addition, glucose uptake was increased in red blood cells with insulin stimulation compared to red blood cells without insulin stimulation. An interaction between flaxseed lignan and insulin also was observed,” Rhee said. “Pretreatment of red blood cells with flaxseed lignan and insulin increased glucose uptake compared to those without insulin stimulation. The results indicate potential beneficial effects of flaxseed lignan on glycemic control by increasing glucose uptake of red blood cells.”

The research also revealed antioxidant function of flaxseed lignan and its beneficial effects in diabetes control via increased glucose uptake.