Incorporation of Flaxseed Flour as a Dietary Source for ALA Increases Bone Density and Strength in Post‐Partum Female Rats

Abstract

In women, bone mass undergoes changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period, which has a risk for subsequent development of osteoporosis. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of flaxseed flour in femur quality during post-weaning of dam rats. After weaning, the rats were divided into control (C, n = 7) and experimental (F, n = 7) groups treated with a diet containing 25 g of flaxseed flour in the lactating period and 15 g in the maintenance period. After 51 days post-partum, serum hormone, fatty acids composition, bone compartments, computed tomography, and biomechanical analyses were determined. Food intake, length, body mass, hormone analysis, and total bone compartments showed similar results. For biomechanical and computed tomography analysis and fatty acids composition, the F group showed higher maximum force (+12%, p < 0.05), breaking strength (+25%, p < 0.05), rigidity (+17%, p < 0.0001), and femoral head radiodensity (+15%, p < 0.05) and presented lower total polyunsaturated fatty acids (-17%, p < 0.0001) and arachidonic acid (-44%, p < 0.0001) and higher ALA (+695%, p < 0.0001) and EPA (+160%, p < 0.05). Fatty acids composition of flaxseed flour, as well as its protein profile and calcium content, were able to improve the bone quality, which may be associated with lower serum levels of arachidonic acid and higher EPA, showing an anti-inflammatory profile and increased deposition of organic matrix during the post-weaning period, and may result in prevention of future osteoporosis.

<i>Linum usitatissimum</i> (Flaxseed) Oil during Postpartum Period Contributes to Lean Mass and Healthy Serum Lipid Profile in Rats

“…Similar results were found in Pereira et al (2016) and Abreu et al (2018) with diets containing FO in puppies over lactation period or flaxseed flour during 180 days in male rats, respectively [24,26]. Ribeiro et al (2017) studied the influence of a diet with flaxseed flour during postpartum period and found no difference in body mass [23]. In this study, it is possible to ascribe the increase in body mass by a significantly high lean mass (P<0.05) in FO group vs. C group.…”

“…In the present study FO group presented lower serum n-6: GLA (P<0.05), DGLA (P<0.05), ARA (P<0.0001) and also a higher serum n-3: ALA (P<0.0001) and EPA (P<0.05) vs. C group (Table 2). [23,24]. Small chain PUFA ALA and LNA could be transformed to long chain PUFA by the organism.…”

Supplementation of diet with Brazil nut modulates body composition, bone parameters, and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats

“…Several studies have shown a protective relationship between dietary fiber and bone health in male rodents, similar to the current study (Garcia-Vieyra et al, 2014;Roberfroid et al, 2002). Montes meal and oil showed an improvement in bone capacity in male and female rats, which was attributed to high content of omega-3 fatty acid, protein, and calcium in the seeds, promoting osteogenesis (Chen et al, 2019;da Costa et al, 2016;Ribeiro et al, 2017).…”

“…Montes Chani et al (2018) demonstrated that Sprague–Dawley rats receiving a diet supplemented with chia seeds, a rich source of omega‐3 fatty acid, showed a higher BMC as well as better age to BMD ratio than that of control rats. Studies on supplementation with flaxseed meal and oil showed an improvement in bone capacity in male and female rats, which was attributed to high content of omega‐3 fatty acid, protein, and calcium in the seeds, promoting osteogenesis (Chen et al, 2019; da Costa et al, 2016; Ribeiro et al, 2017). Although the related molecular signaling and pathways have not yet been described, notably, selenium, which is abundant in BN, is associated with bone health.…”

Flaxseed oil ameliorated high-fat-diet-induced bone loss in rats by promoting osteoblastic function in rat primary osteoblasts

“…A clinical study indicated that daily consumption of 6 g/d of FO may reduce bone resorption in haemodialysis patients [15]. An animal study showed that ALA associated with calcium and protein provided by flaxseed flour contributed to bone quality in the post-partum period of dam rats [16]. Longo et al suggested that providing FO, possibly through its high ALA content, provided protection against OVX-induced alveolar bone loss in rats [17] .…”