Olive oil effectively mitigates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis, a reduction in bone mineral density, represents the most common metabolic bone disease. Postmenopausal women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis when their production of estrogen declines. For these women, fracture is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of olive oil supplementation against osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: We studied adult female Wistar rats aged 12-14 months, divided into three groups: sham-operated control (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized rats supplemented with extravirgin olive oil (Olive-OVX) orally for 12 weeks; 4 weeks before ovariectomy and 8 weeks after. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected. Plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrates were assayed. Specimens from both the tibia and the liver were processed for light microscopic examination. Histomorphometric analysis of the tibia was also performed. RESULTS: The OVX-rats showed a significant decrease in plasma calcium levels, and a significant increase in plasma ALP, MDA, and nitrates levels. These changes were attenuated by olive oil supplementation in the Olive-OVX rats. Light microscopic examination of the tibia of the OVX rats revealed a significant decrease in the cortical bone thickness (CBT) and the trabecular bone thickness (TBT). In addition, there was a significant increase in the osteoclast number denoting bone resorption. In the Olive-OVX rats these parameters were markedly improved as compared to the OVX group. Examination of the liver specimens revealed mononuclear cellular infiltration in the portal areas in the OVX-rats which was not detected in the Olive-OVX rats. CONCLUSIONS: Olive oil effectively mitigated ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats, and is a promising candidate for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Olive oil improved the impairment of in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragm in ovariectomized female Wistar rats.

UNLABELLED: This work was carried out to examine the impact of ovariectomy in female Wistar rats on in vitro basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragm, and the possible beneficial effects of olive oil supplementation in these rats. METHODS: we studied 21 female Wistar rats aged 12-14 months, divided into three groups: sham-operated control (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized rats supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil (Olive-OVX) orally for 12 weeks; 4 weeks before ovariectomy and 8 weeks after. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for lipid profile assays. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in soleus muscles was assayed. The diaphragms were collected for determination of glucose uptake by the muscles. Soleus muscles and pancreas were processed for histological examination. RESULTS: ovariectomy impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragm of female rats, induced abnormalities of lipid metabolism, and increased the oxidative stress marker, MDA level in soleus muscles. Olive oil supplementation to ovariectomized rats resulted in an enhancement of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragm and a better lipid profile, as well as a decrease in the MDA level in soleus muscles. Histological study in OVX rats revealed a decrease in the size and number of islets of Langerhans in the pancreatic tissue, and decreases in both glycogen content, and in mitochondrial density in the soleus muscles. In Olive-OVX rats the size of islets of Langerhans was normal, and muscle glycogen, and muscle mitochondrial density were increased as compared to OVX rats. CONCLUSION: ovariectomy impaired in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by diaphragm. The improvement of this impairment by olive oil supplementation could be attributed to its antioxidant properties, its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as, its enhancement effect on mitochondrial density in skeletal muscles.

Evaluation of "Myrrh extract" against Schistosoma mansoni: a histological study.

This study investigated the effect of myrrh extract on different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three main groups: GI (control group), GII (infected group) and GIII (infected-treated group). The last group was further divided into 3 subgroups where the drug was administered in a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for 5 days starting on the 1st day PI for IIIA, on the 21st day PI for IIIB and on the 45th day PI for IIIC. A morphometric study was performed for the mean number and perimeter of granulomas. In GII, typical bilharzial granulomas were frequently encountered in the portal tracts with numerous eosinophils, collagen fiber deposition and reticular fiber condensation. Hepatocytes revealed vacuolation, nuclear affection and depletion of glycogen. In GIII, granulomas were less frequently observed with apparent decrease of eosinophils. The maximum effect of the drug was observed in SGs IIIB and IIIC as detected by significant decrease in the mean number and size of granulomas, paucity of eosinophils, decreased fibrosis and reticular fibers and the restoration of the glycogen content in the hepatocytes. The present data proved that myrrh has a valuable schistosomicidal effect against different stages of S. mansoni. This chemotherapeutic effect was more evident when the drug was given to infected mice on the 21st as well as on the 45th day PI.