ABSTRACT
To evaluate the potential effects of whole flaxseed [FS], and/or flax oil [FO] incorporation into the diet on the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ovariectomized [OVX] rats model of osteoporosis. This study was performed in the Food Science and Agriculture College, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October to December 2009. Forty-eight, 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Group 1 - sham + control diet; Group 2 - OVX rats + basal diet; Group 3- OVX + 20% whole FS; Group 4 - OVX rats + 40% FS; Group 5 - OVX rats + 5% FO; Group 6 - OVX rats + 10% FO. All OVX rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy. The experiment was continued for 2 months. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase [B-ALP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], calcium [Ca], phosphorous [P], and magnesium [Mg] were measured. A significant increase of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations were observed between OVX rats when compared with Group 1, while there was no significant difference in the activity of B-ALP, serum Ca, P. and Mg among all groups. A remarkable significant decrease of serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. was observed in the group of rats that were fed with FS [Groups 3 and 4] and FO [Groups 5 and 6]. This study suggests that FS and FO might be useful in the prevention of estrogen-deficiency induced osteoporosis via decreasing osteoclastogenesis. Further studies are needed to demonstrate their efficacy in humans by using bioactive components of FS, and to clarify their mechanism of action