Flaxseed (linum usitatissimum) flour contributes to bone health in adult male rats

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated effects of flaxseed flour diet on bone health in adult Wistar male rats at 180 d.

Methods: After birth, pups were randomly assigned: Control (C, n = 12) and flaxseed flour (FF, n = 12) diet during lactation period. At 21 d, pups were weaned and they continued to receive the control and experimental diet, respectively. At 180 d, body length, total bone structure, and femur and lumbar vertebrae were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Femoral and lumbar vertebra dimensions, biomechanical properties of femur, and serum osteocalcin were measured.

Results: FF produced greater (P <0.05) total (+3.4%) and spine (+5.9%) bone mineral density, total (+10%) and spine (+12%) bone mineral content, total bone area (+8.7%), and osteocalcin (+82%). As to femur, FF produced greater (P <0.05) width of diaphysis (+8.1%), bone mineral density (+5.2%), maximum force (+10.6%), breaking strength (+12.9%), and stiffness (+23%).

Conclusion: This experimental study found that a diet containing flaxseed flour contributed to bone mineral density and femur resistance at 180 d.

Keywords: Biomechanical properties; Bone health; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Flaxseed flour; Wistar rats.