Abstract
The effects of diets supplemented by soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils on blood lipids and bone mineral content in osteoporotic ovariectomized (OVX) rats were investigated. Fifty rats were randomly allocated into 5 equal groups and housed in metabolic metal cages. Rats of group (1) were sham operated (Sham) and of the other 4 groups were OVX and left for 8 weeks for induction of osteoporosis. Group (2) was fed on basal diet (OVX-control) and groups (3), (4) and (5) were fed on experimental diets containing either 5 % soybean, 5 % flaxseed or 5 % sesame oil, respectively for 6 weeks. Blood was collected for estimating serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), bone - specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) and osteocalcin (OC). Urine samples were collected for determination of Ca and P concentrations. Rats were euthanized, uteri were dissected out and weighed. Femur bones were removed and used for bone analyses. The results showed that feeding of diets supplemented with soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils to OVX rats reversed the decrease in uterine and femur weights and normalized the elevated serum levels of lipids, Ca, P, b-ALP and OC. These oils also decreased urinary Ca and P levels and increased femur bone density and calcium content in bone ash. In conclusion, dietary soybean, flaxseed and sesame oils cause hypolipidemic and anti-osteoporotic activities in osteoporotic rats. Intake of these vegetable oils in foods may be beneficial for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women.