Browsing by Author "Poulsen, Raewyn Carol"

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    An investigation into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on bone resorption in the female ovariectomised rat : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutritional Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Poulsen, Raewyn Carol
    Estrogen deficiency results in disruption of the normal bone remodeling cyclc leading to a loss of bone mineral and, in many cases, the development of osteoporosis. Various studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in reducing the loss of bone density as a consequence of estrogen deficiency. The aim of the present study was to examine the specific effects of the n-3 EFA, eicosopentaenoic acid (EPA) on bone density and strength in ovariectomised female rats. 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups and either ovariectomised (n=45) or sham operated (n=15). Ovariectomised animals were fed calcium adequate diets containing either corn oil (OVX control, n=15), corn oil + 0.1g/kg body weight EPA (low dose, n=15) or corn oil + 1.0g/kg body weight EPA (high dose, n= 15) for a period of nine weeks. Sham rats were fed the corn oil diet as per the OVX control group. Urinary calcium and phosphate excretion, serum type 1 collagen c-telopeptide concentration, bone density, bone ash and bone breaking strength were measured. Plasma fatty acid composition and serum concentrations of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 were also determined. Femur bone density was significantly lower in the high dose group compared to sham, OVX control and low dose EPA groups (p<0.001, p=0.0096 and p=0.0047 respectively). Low dose EPA supplementation had no significant effect on bone density. No significant differences in urinary calcium or phosphate concentrations, serum concentrations of type-1 collagen c-telopeptide or bone breaking strength were evident with either dose of EPA compared to unsupplemented, ovariectomised controls. EPA supplementation resulted in significant decreases in the levels of n-6 EFAs and increases in the levels of n-3 EFAs except docosahexaenoic acid in plasma lipids. Both low and high dose EPA supplementation led to significant increases in serum concentration of25(OH) vitamin D3. In conclusion 1.0g EPA/kg body weight had a detrimental effect on bone density in ovariectomised rats. It is proposed that high intake of the highly unsaturated EPA resulted in significant lipid peroxidation. This in turn disrupted membrane structure and inhibited intestinal calcium absorption thereby stimulating PTH-mediated bone resorption. potential role for n-3 EFAs in the regulation of vitamin D activity is also outlined.
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    Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and their possible interaction with phytoestrogens : impact on bone and bone cell function in vivo and in vitro : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2007) Poulsen, Raewyn Carol
    Inflammation is a major contributor to postmenopausal bone loss. Various long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), particularly those of the n-3 family, are known to have anti-inflammatory activity and may have a role in minimising postmenopausal bone loss. The objectives of this thesis were to determine whether some LCPUFAs have greater bone-protective effects than others; to identify some of the mechanisms of action of LCPUFAs in bone and to explore the possibility that combined treatment with LCPUFAs and phytoestrogens offers greater bone-protective effects than either treatment alone. Using the ovariectomised rat model for postmenopausal bone loss, the relative effectiveness of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6) in minimising bone loss post-ovariectomy was investigated. GLA exacerbated bone loss post ovariectomy in rats. In vitro, treatment of MC3T3-E1/4 osteoblast-like cells with GLA resulted in greater membrane-bound RANKL expression suggesting a possible stimulatory effect of GLA on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity. EPA had no effect on overall bone mass in vivo. DHA significantly ameliorated ovariectomy-induced bone loss possibly by increasing plasma IGF-1 concentration, modulating vitamin D metabolism and, as observed in a second study, by increasing the concentration of gamma-carboxylated osteocalcin. In vitro both EPA and DHA reduced the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced increase in membrane-bound RANKL expression in MC3T3-E1/4 osteoblast-like cells. However as RANKL-independent pathways are believed to be largely responsible for the ovariectomy-induced increase in osteoclastogenesis in vivo, inhibition of RANKL expression may not significantly contribute to the prevention of ovariectomy-induced bone loss. In a second study in ovariectomised rats, combined treatment with DHA and 17β-oestradiol was associated with significantly higher femur bone mineral content than either treatment alone. However, no beneficial effects of combined treatment with DHA and either of the phytoestrogens genistein or daidzein, on bone mass were apparent. In vitro, co-treatment of TNF-α - exposed MC3T3-E1/4 cells with DHA and 17β-oestradiol was associated with a higher cell number compared to either treatment alone indicating a protective effect of combined treatment against the cytotoxic and/or anti-proliferative effects of TNF-α. In contrast, combined treatment of MC3T3-E1/4 cells with DHA and genistein, but not daidzein, was associated with significantly lower cell number than either treatment alone. As genistein, but not daidzein, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, this may indicate that DHA requires tyrosine kinase activity for its protective effect on cell number in TNF-α - exposed osteoblasts. Whether DHA itself is bioactive in bone cells or whether lipid mediators formed from DHA are responsible for the observed bone-protective effects is unknown. Using lipid mediator lipidomic analysis, the presence of DHA-derived lipid mediators in bone marrow in quantities known to be physiologically significant in other tissues was confirmed. Further research into the effects of these lipid mediators in bone and confirmation of the mechanisms of action of DHA in bone cells is required. This thesis demonstrates that consumption of DHA provides some protection against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo and mitigates the effects of inflammation on RANKL signalling and osteoblast cell number in vitro. The bone-protective effects of DHA are complemented by co-treatment with 17β-oestradiol but may be inhibited by co-treatment with the phytoestrogens daidzein or genistein.