Farzad Deyhim

Dried plum reverses bone loss in an osteopenic rat model of osteoporosis.

Objective:We previously reported the efficacy of dried plum (Prunus domestica L.) in preventing ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis and improving bone biomarkers in postmenopausal women. The present study evaluated whether dried plum was able to restore bone mass in osteopenic ovariectomized rats. Design:Ninety-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham; one group) or ovariectomized (Ovx; five groups) and were fed a standard diet for 40 days to establish bone loss and subsequently experimental treatments were initiated. Sham, Ovx control, and Ovx + 17β-estradiol (E2; 10 μg/kg body weight per day) animals continued to receive the standard diet, whereas the remaining three Ovx groups received the following dietary treatments: Ovx + 5% dried plum (low dose), Ovx + 15% dried plum (medium dose), and Ovx + 25% dried plum (high dose). After 60 days, blood and bone specimens were collected for analyses. Results:Dried plum, as low as 5%, was effective in restoring femoral and tibial bone density. Dried plum increased lumbar bone density as well, with HD achieving a statistical significance. The increase in femoral bone density of dried plum-fed rats resulted in improved bone quality as indicated by 6.9% and 6.0% improvement in overall yield and ultimate force, respectively. Varying doses of dried plum were also able to significantly improve trabecular microarchitectural properties in comparison with ovariectomized controls. Conclusions:The improvement in biomechanical properties of long bones due to dried plum, in part, may be due to the favorable microstructural changes as evident by enhanced tibial bone volume and connectivity. Loss of bone volume accompanied by loss of trabecular connectivity is generally believed to be an irreversible process, but our observations suggest that dried plum improves trabecular microstructure of tibia after losses have already occurred.

Citrus bioactive compounds improve bone quality and plasma antioxidant activity in orchidectomized rats

BACKGROUND We reported that citrus consumption improves bone quality in orchidectomized male rats. In the present study, effects of feeding citrus bioactive compounds and crude extract on bone quality in orchidectomized rats were evaluated. METHODS Seventy 90-days-old male rats were randomly assigned to five groups for 60 days of feeding study. The treatment groups were SHAM-control, orchidectomy (ORX), ORX+crude extract, ORX+limonin, and ORX+naringin. At termination, animals were euthanized, blood was collected for the plasma antioxidant status. Bone resorption and bone formation markers in the blood and urine were evaluated. Bone quality in the femur and the 5th lumbar and the total calcium concentration in the bones and excreta were evaluated. RESULTS Orchidectomy lowered (p<0.05) plasma antioxidant capacity, bone quality, and bone calcium; elevated (p<0.05) TRAP, deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and calcium excretion; and did not change the plasma IGF-I in comparison to the SHAM group. The citrus crude extract or the purified bioactive compounds increased (p<0.05) the plasma antioxidant status, plasma IGF-I, and bone density, preserved (p<0.05) the concentration of calcium in the femur and in the 5th lumbar, and numerically improved bone strength. The crude extract and the bioactive compounds decreased (p<0.05) fecal excretion of calcium, numerically lowered the urinary excretion of calcium, and suppressed (p<0.05) the plasma TRAP activity without affecting (p>0.1) urinary excretion of DPD in comparison to the ORX group. CONCLUSIONS Potential benefit of the citrus crude extract and its bioactive compounds on bone quality appears to preserve bone calcium concentration and increase antioxidant status.

Drinking carrot juice increases total antioxidant status and decreases lipid peroxidation in adults

BackgroundHigh prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease is attributable to sedentary lifestyle and eating diets high in fat and refined carbohydrate while eating diets low in fruit and vegetables. Epidemiological studies have confirmed a strong association between eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular health. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether drinking fresh carrot juice influences antioxidant status and cardiovascular risk markers in subjects not modifying their eating habits.MethodsAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of consuming 16 fl oz of daily freshly squeezed carrot juice for three months on cardiovascular risk markers, C-reactive protein, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde production. Fasting blood samples were collected pre-test and 90 days afterward to conclude the study.ResultsDrinking carrot juice did not affect (P > 0.1) the plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo A, Apo B, LDL, HDL, body fat percentage, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, or C-reactive protein. Drinking carrot juice decreased (P = 0.06) systolic pressure, but did not influence diastolic pressure. Drinking carrot juice significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma total antioxidant capacity and decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma malondialdehyde production.ConclusionDrinking carrot juice may protect the cardiovascular system by increasing total antioxidant status and by decreasing lipid peroxidation independent of any of the cardiovascular risk markers measured in the study.

The effects of estrogen depletion and isoflavones on bone metabolism in rats

Abstract To examine a potential role for phytoestrogens in postmenopasual bone loss, the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model has been used to investigate whether lower than previously used doses of isoflavones are beneficial in impeding ovarian hormone deficiency-associated bone loss. In this study, thirty-two 90-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed a semi-purified diet with or without isoflavones for forty days. The treatment groups were sham-operated (sham), OVX, OVX+ isoflavones (0.575 mg/g of dietary protein), and OVX+ isoflavones (1.15 mg/g of dietary protein). Ovariectomy reduced ( P th lumbar vertebral, tibial, and femoral bone density, and femoral bone strength; increased ( P

Feeding orange pulp improved bone quality in a rat model of male osteoporosis.

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been linked to bone loss. We evaluated the effects of feeding orange pulp (OP), a source of vitamin C and flavonoids, on bone quality in a rat model of male osteoporosis. One-year-old retired breeder rats (n = 43) were orchidectomized (ORX) or sham-operated (SHAM). Three days postsurgery, ORX rats were randomly assigned to treatments: ORX or ORX with 2.5% OP, 5% OP, or 10% OP. Diets were isonitrogenous, isocaloric, modified AIN-93M diets with equal fiber content. All ORX rats were fed for 4 months to the mean food intake of the SHAM group. At the end of the study blood, urine and bone samples were collected. Plasma antioxidant capacity and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined. Bone density, structure, and strength were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, microcomputed tomography, and finite element analyses. ORX decreased (P < .05) antioxidant status, while OP as low as 2.5% maintained the antioxidant capacity of ORX rats comparable to that of the SHAM group. Cortical thickness at the tibial midshaft was significantly decreased by ORX and increased by OP, and urinary DPD was significantly increased by ORX and decreased by OP. In fourth lumbar trabecular cores, ORX rats had significantly reduced bone volume fraction, connectivity density, and trabecular number and increased trabecular separation. OP significantly increased bone volume fraction and trabecular number and decreased trabecular separation in ORX rats. Improvements due to OP in microarchitectural properties of vertebral bones and in cortical thickness of long bones were subtle but significant. The consistently negative impacts of ORX on bone density, structure, and strength parameters confirm the previously reported importance of testosterone for bone.

Grapefruit pulp increases antioxidant status and improves bone quality in orchidectomized rats

OBJECTIVE Orchidectomy causes oxidative stress and increases the incidence of osteoporosis. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether eating grapefruit pulp (GP) modifies antioxidant status and reduces osteoporosis in orchidectomized rats. METHODS Fifty-six 90-d-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: sham-control group (n = 14) and orchidectomized (ORX) group (n = 42). The orchidectomized group was equally divided among the following three treatments: orchidectomy, orchidectomy + 5.0% GP, and orchidectomy + 10% GP. At the termination of the study (day 60), all rats were euthanized and the plasma was collected for antioxidant status and indices of bone turnover. Bone quality and mineral contents in the bone, urine, and feces were evaluated. RESULTS Orchidectomy lowered (P < 0.05) antioxidant status, bone quality, bone mineral contents and elevated (P < 0.05) indices of bone turnover, urinary deoxypyridinoline, and fecal calcium excretion. In contrast to the ORX group, independent of dosage, antioxidant status, bone density, and delayed time-induced femoral fracture were higher (P < 0.05) in the GP groups, whereas fecal calcium excretion and urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion were lowered (P < 0.05). GP dose-dependently slowed down bone turnover (P < 0.05), elevated bone calcium and magnesium contents (P < 0.05), tended to lower urinary excretion of magnesium, and numerically improved bone strength. CONCLUSION The beneficial effects of eating red grapefruit on bone quality of ORX rats is due to bone mineral deposition and slowed-down bone turnover.

Grapefruit juice modulates bone quality in rats.

Hypogonadism and oxidative stress increase the risk for developing osteoporosis. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of drinking grapefruit juice on bone quality in orchidectomized (ORX) and non-ORX rats. Fifty-six 90-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into four groups--non-ORX rats (sham), sham + grapefruit juice, ORX, and ORX + grapefruit juice--and treated for 60 days. Thereafter, all rats were sacrificed to determine the plasma antioxidant status, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and indices of bone turnover, bone quality, and calcium and magnesium concentrations in the bone, urine, and feces. Orchidectomy decreased (P < .05) antioxidant status, bone quality, and bone mineral contents and increased (P < .05) indices of bone turnover, urinary deoxypridinoline, calcium, and magnesium, and fecal calcium excretions. In contrast to the ORX group, ORX rats that drank grapefruit juice had an increase (P < .05) in antioxidant status, bone density, and bone mineral contents, delayed femoral fracture, and slowed down (P < .05) bone turnover rate and tended to have a decrease (P = .08) in urinary deoxypridinoline. In sham-treated animals, drinking grapefruit juice increased (P < .05) bone density and tended to increase the femoral strength. The concentration of IGF-I in the plasma was not affected across treatments. In conclusion, drinking grapefruit juice positively affected bone quality by enhancing bone mineral deposition in ORX rats and by improving bone density in non-ORX rats via an undefined mechanism.

Vitamin E does not Support Bone Quality in Orchidectomized Rats

Vitamin E is known to improve antioxidant status, but the effect of vitamin E on bone quality in orchidectomized rats is unknown. In the present study, thirty-two 1-y-old male rats were randomized to two groups: a sham-control group (n=8) and an orchidectomized group (n=24). The orchidectomized group was divided into three groups of eight and assigned to one of the following treatments: orchidectomy (ORX), low-dose vitamin E of 65.6 mg/Kg diet or high-dose vitamin E of 656 mg/Kg diet. Four months after the study began, all rats were killed, blood was collected, and plasma was harvested for antioxidant status, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and IGF-I. Orchidectomy decreased (P < 0.05) plasma antioxidant and IGF-I, reduced bone (P < 0.05) quality and bone strength, increased (P < 0.05) plasma TRAP and urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium compared to the sham-control group. In contrast to ORX, vitamin E increased (P < 0.05) plasma antioxidant and had no beneficial effect on indices of bone quality, bone resorption and bone formation marker, or urinary calcium and magnesium excretion. In conclusion, vitamin E appears to decrease oxidative stress without improving bone quality in orchidectomized rats.

The effects of heat distress environment and vitamin or trace mineral supplementation on growth and cell mediated immunity in broiler chickens

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate dietary vitamin or trace mineral supplementation effects during 28–49 days posthatching on body weight, feed consumption, and delayed contact hypersensitivity reactions to dinitrofluorobenzene in broilers reared in thermoneutral (24°C) and cyclic heat distress (24–35°C) environments. Heat distress reduced (P≤.05) body weight, feed consumption, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The most pronounced (P≤.05) body weight, feed consumption, and delayed hypersensitivity responses were noted in broilers whose basal diet was not fortified with vitamins but contained trace mineral supplementation. Vitamin supplementation devoid of dietary trace mineral fortification did not affect (P>.1) body weight, feed consumption, or the delayed hypersensitivity reactions. In conclusion, heat distress and dietary vitamin inadequacy suppressed broilers performance and impaired cellular mediated immunity.

Grapefruit Juice: Potential Functional Drink for Improved Antioxidant Capacity in Adults

Cardiovascular disease is attributed to sedentary lifestyle, diets high in fat and refined carbohydrates, and low in fruits and vegetables. The objective of this study was to determine whether drinking grapefruit juice positively influences cardiovascular risk markers, antioxidant status, and lipid peroxidation in adults not changing their eating habits. An experiment to test whether daily consumption of 20 fl. oz. of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for two months affected lipid panels, C-reactive protein, insulin, body composition, blood pressure, antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde production was conducted. Fasting blood samples were collected pre-treatment and 60 days after drinking grapefruit juice post-treatment. Drinking grapefruit juice did not affect (P > 0.1) plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo A, Apo B, LDL, HDL, body fat percentage, BMI, blood pressure, plasma insulin, or C-reactive protein. Drinking grapefruit juice did not affect systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, drinking grapefruit juice significantly (P < 0.05) increased total plasma antioxidant capacity and decreased (P < 0.05) plasma malondialdehyde concentration. Drinking grapefruit juice may be cardio-protective via increasing total antioxidant status and decreasing lipid peroxidation independent of any of the cardiovascular risk markers measured in the study. *Corresponding author: Farzad Deyhim, Ph.D., RD., LD., Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Dept. of Human Sciences, MSC 168, Kingsville TX. 78363. Kingsville, USA, Tel: +1 (361) 593-2409; Fax: +1 (361) 593-2230; E-mail: Farzad.Deyhim@tamuk.edu Received Date: December 26, 2016 Accepted Date: April 20, 2017 Published Date: April 26, 2017