Hematological and Renoprotective Effects of Chia (Salvia Hispanica) and Flax (Linum Usitatissimum) Seeds in a Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

This study examined the effects of dietary chia and flaxseed supplementation on hematological parameters and kidney function in Wistar rats exposed to monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced oxidative stress. Forty-eight male Wistar rats (120–150 g) were randomly divided into seven groups (n=5 each). Group A served as control (saline), Group B received MSG (15 mg/kg), and Groups C to F were given MSG along with either 20% or 40% chia or flax seeds. Group G received a combination of 20% chia and 20% flax seeds with MSG. After four weeks of oral treatment, blood samples were analyzed for hematological indices, including HGB, HCT, RBC, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, MPV, and differential WBC counts, as well as kidney function markers such as serum urea, creatinine, and total protein. MSG significantly disrupted hematological and renal parameters. However, supplementation with chia and flax seeds significantly mitigated these effects (p < 0.05). The 40% flaxseed group showed the highest hemoglobin level (15.23±5.08 g/dL) and platelet count (725.67±153.02 ×10⁹/L), while the combination group exhibited synergistic improvements across most parameters. MSG increased creatinine (1.51±0.50 mg/dL) and urea (213.46±65.35 mg/dL) levels, but supplementation, especially the chia-flax combination, significantly lowered these markers toward control levels. Total protein also increased significantly in treated groups, with the most significant restoration observed in the combination group (4.24±1.43 mg/dL). These results suggest that chia and flax seeds, both individually and in combination, offer hematological and kidney-protective benefits against MSG-induced toxicity, supporting their use as functional foods in the dietary management of metabolic stress.