Effect of consumption of fatty acids, nutrients and regular physical activity on bone mechanical properties in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effect of consumption of fatty acids (polyunsaturated، monounsaturated and saturated)، selected nutrients (calcium، vitamin D، and boron)، along regular physical activity on bone mechanical properties in rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 140-180 g were divided into control and six treatment groups (n=8/ each group) and treated for eight weeks as following: Group 1 (control): regular food and drinking water; Group 2 (Sport; Sp): same as Gr. 1 + physical activity (Whole body vibration; WBV); Group 3 (SPM): same as Gr. 2 + Calcium، Vit. D، Boron; Group 4 (Co): same as Gr. 3 + canola oil; Group 5 (AF): same as Gr. 3 + sunflower oil; Group 6 (AC): same as Gr. 3 + sunflower and canola oils; and Group 7 (N): same as Gr. 3 + coconut oil. After interventions، frozen plasmas were analyzed and mechanical properties of femurs، tibias، and lumbar bones were determined. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the effects of different treatments. Analysis of data between the groups revealed significant increase in serum levels of estradiol (E2) in group 7 (N)، (p<0. 05). In addition، serum levels of testosterone (T) in groups 4 (Co) and 7 (N)، and free testosterone (FT) in the group 7 (N) had a remarkable، but non-significant increase. As a result of vibration training، similar trend was observed for serum levels of vitamin D in the group 4 (Co) and 5 (AF). The stiffness and the breaking strength (Fmax) of the femur bone in the group 7، and the breaking strength of the lumbar bone in the group 7 compared to the control and the groups 4 and 5 was significantly higher and tended to increase compared to the group 6. Better and stronger measurements observed for coconut oil is warranted to further study its effect on biomechanical properties of bones.