Protective effects of pomegranate seed oil on ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis; amultidetector computed tomography evaluation

Abstract

The pomegranate seed oil (PSO), containing 17-α-estradiol, is one of the newly found phytosterols with synergistic health effects on estrogen related physiological conditions. Herein, PSO was assessed for its possible improving effects on bone characteristics in a rat model of menopausal syndrome. Thirty 3-month-old non-pregnant female Wistar rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or ovariectomized (OVX), each divided into two further groups receiving 0.1 ml PSO or the same volume of paraffin oil as placebo. Before the operation and 67 days after it, Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) scanning was performed with the identical setup option for the scanner to measure the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in body of 12th thoracic vertebra, 1st to 6th lumbar vertebra and Sacrum. <br><br>This study revealed that bone density of 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th and sacrum body were significantly different between OVX and SHAM groups during the study period. It has been also shown that MDCT is a valuable tool for diagnosing the severity of bone loss in different osteoporotic conditions of rat, besides-declaring the best set ups and bones to be used in this method. <br><br> Finally, PSO during 67 days study could not thoroughly prevent the osteoporotic effects due to ovariectomy in vertebral column of rats.