Protective effects of pomegranate seed oil on ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis: A multi-detector computed tomography evaluation

The pomegranate seed oil (PSO), containing ۱۷-α-estradiol, is one of the newly found phytosterols with synergistic health effects on estrogen related physiological conditions. Herein, PSO was assessed for its potential improving effects on bone characteristics in a rat model of menopausal syndrome. Three month old non-pregnant female Wistar rats (n = ۳۰) were either sham-operated (SHAM) or ovariectomized (OVX), each divided into two further groups receiving ۰.۱ mL PSO or the same volume of paraffin oil as placebo. Before the operation and ۶۷ 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 ۱۲th thoracic vertebra, ۱st to ۶th lumbar vertebra and sacrum. This study revealed that bone density of ۱st, ۳rd, ۵th, ۶th and sacrum body were significantly different between OVX and SHAM groups during the study period. In conclusion, PSO during ۶۷ days study could not completely prevent the osteoporotic effects caused by ovariectomy in vertebral column of rats.