The impact of dietary consumption of hydroalcoholic extract and seed of flax on bone morphology in F۱ mouse pups

Objective: Osteoporosis is a disease caused by a decrease in bone mass and loss of structure, a condition that leads to a decrease in bone strength and an increased risk of fractures. Due to that flaxseed has phytoestrogenic and antioxidant properties, in this study we want to determine the effects of administration of hydroalcoholic extract and seed of flax during prenatal and postnatal (PND) periods on bone morphology of femur. Methods: Pregnant NMRI mice were allocated into ۵ groups including control (CTL), flax extract with two doses (LE; ۵۰۰ and ۱۰۰۰ mg/ kg/ day) and also flax seed with two doses (LS; ۵۰۰ and ۱۰۰۰ mg/ kg/ day). Male pups after weaning, received the same regimen as their mothers did for ۵۶ days. After this, body, femur weight, length and diameters of femur were evaluated in the male offspring at PND۵۶. Results: The weight of body showed a significant changes in the LS۱۰۰۰ compare to the control group (P= ۰.۰۰۱). Also, a significant increase in the ovary weight was observed in the LS۵۰۰, LS۱۰۰۰ and LE۱۰۰۰ groups versus the CTL group (P= ۰.۰۴۵, P=۰.۰۴۶, P= ۰.۰۳۱). In addition, mice that received LE (۵۰۰, ۱۰۰۰ mg/ kg) and LS (۵۰۰, ۱۰۰۰ mg/ kg) had a significant high level of the femur length and diameter compared to the CTL group. However, the highest increase was shown in the LS۱۰۰۰ group. Conclusion: The flax seed showed a dose dependent effect as a dose of ۱۰۰۰ mg/ kg had a highest improving effect on morphology of femur bone in F۱ male mice, while it showed a less effect at dose of ۵۰۰ mg/ kg. This could be related to their different phytoestrogenic and antioxidant properties.

Keywords:

flax seed , morphology , femur , mice.