Flaxseed flour (Linum usitatissinum) consumption improves bone quality and decreases the adipocyte area of lactating rats in the post-weaning period.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of flaxseed flour in the intake on adiposity and femur structure of the lactating rats during the post-weaning period. After weaning, the lactating rats were divided into control (C, n = 6) and experimental (F, n = 6) groups treated with a diet containing flaxseed flour. Serum hormone and fatty acids composition, morphology of intra-abdominal adipocytes, computed tomography and biomechanical analyses of femur were determined. Food intake, body mass and hormone analysis have shown similar results. The F group showed the following (p < 0.05): lower arachidonic acid (-60%), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (-30%) and retroperitoneal adipocytes (-36%) area. Higher radiodensity of femoral head region (+29%) and higher maximum force (+18%), breaking strength (+18%) and rigidity (+31%). Fatty acid composition of flaxseed flour decreased the area of adipocytes and improved the bone quality, which may be associated with lower serum levels of arachidonic acid levels, during the post-weaning period.

Dietary Intake of Flaxseed Oil since Early Stages of Life Promotes Femur Quality in Male Rats.

BACKGROUND: Flaxseed oil (FO) is an alpha linolenic acid source important for growth and body development. However, there is little literature on the role of FO in critical stages of bone development and formation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of a diet containing FO on rat femurs. METHODS: After birth, mothers and pups were divided into control and flaxseed groups (n = 6 pups each) fed diets containing 7% soybean oil (C) or 7% FO. At 21 days, pups were weaned and separated from the mothers, and control or experimental diets were continued. At 67 days, the following were analyzed: osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, bone mineral density (BMD) and content, and bone area; the dimension, BMD, head radiodensity, and biomechanical proprieties of the right femur; and histomorphometric parameters of the left femur. RESULTS: Compared to the C group, the FO group presented (p < 0.05) a lower body mass (-3.7%) and medullary area (-10.1%) and higher osteocalcin (+36.7%), OPG (+52.5%), femur width (+3.8%), absolute mass (+2.3%), femur BMD (+3.6%), head radiodensity (+6.1%), maximum force (+7.4%), breaking strength (+17.3), and cortical thickness (+7.0). CONCLUSION: The FO diet contributed to femur quality in healthy male Wistar rats.

O consumo de farinha de taro (Colocasia esculenta) favorece a integridade óssea em ratos machos / Taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour intake enable bone integrity in male rats

Objetivo: A proposta deste estudo foi investigar a composição óssea em ratos tratados com dieta suplementada com farinha de taro (Colocasia esculenta) até eles completarem 90 dias de idade. Métodos: No momento do desmame, os ratos foram divididos em grupo controle (C, n = 11) e experimental (T, n = 12) ­ composto por animais tratados com farinha de taro até os 90 dias de idade. Ingestão alimentar, massa e comprimento corporal foram avaliados semanalmente ao longo de todo o período experimental. Dimensões ósseas, bem como a densidade mineral óssea (DMO), conteúdo mineral ósseo (CMO), área óssea total e propriedades biomecânicas foram determinadas no final de 90 dias. Resultados: Grupo T apresentou elevados valores (P<0.05) para massa e comprimento corporal; DMO, CMO e área óssea da coluna vertebral; DMO na quarta vértebra lombar; massa femoral, distância entre as epífises, largura do ponto médio da diáfise, DMO, força máxima e concentrações séricas de osteocalcina, quando comparado ao grupo controle. Conclusões: A ingestão da farinha de taro apresentou efeito positivo na saúde óssea. (AU)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate bone composition in male rats treated with diet supplemented with taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour until their 90 days. Methods: Weanling male rats were divided into control (C, n=11) and experimental group (T, n=12); the latter comprised animals treated with taro flour until their 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated on a weekly basis throughout the experimental period. Spine bone dimension, as well as bone mineral density (BMD), mineral content (BMC), total area and biomechanical properties were determined after 90 days. Results: T group recorded higher values for (P<0.05) body mass and length; BMD, BMC and total spinal area; BMD of the fourth lumbar vertebra; femoral mass, distance between epiphysis, medial point of diaphysis width, BMD, maximum strength and osteocalcin concentrations than the control. Conclusion: Taro flour intake had positive effect on bone health. (AU)

Effects of diet containing flaxseed flour (Linum usitatissimum) on body adiposity and bone health in young male rats.

Flaxseed flour has been described as an excellent alpha-linolenic acid source. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of flaxseed flour on body adiposity and bone health in rats fed a flaxseed flour diet during lactation until 90 days. At birth, male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C) and experimental (FF) groups, whose dams were treated with a control or flaxseed flour diet, respectively, during lactation. At 21 days, pups were weaned and fed a control and experimental diet until 90 days. Food intake, body mass and length were evaluated during a 21-90 day period. At 90 days, composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, serum hormonal profile, intra-abdominal fat mass, and lumbar vertebra and femur analyses was determined. Differences were deemed significant at p < 0.05. The FF group displayed the following (P < 0.05): a higher total lean mass (+7%), a lower total (-16%) and intra-abdominal (-24%) fat mass, a smaller adipocyte area (-30%), a higher femoral mass (+5%), bone mineral density (+5%) and radiodensity (+20%), and a higher maximum force (+10%) and breaking strength (+11%). The flaxseed flour diet displayed functional properties related to body growth maintenance associated with a lower risk of developing metabolic alterations, obesity and bone fragility.