We. Ward et al., Exposure to purified lignan from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) alters bone development in female rats, BR J NUTR, 86(4), 2001, pp. 499-505
Due to the potential oestrogenic effects of secoisolariciresinol diglycosid
e (SDG), the mammalian lignan precursor in flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum),
we hypothesized that exposure to purified SDG during early life would have
a positive effect on developing bone. This present study determined whether
exposure to SDG purified from flaxseed during suckling via mother's milk o
r continuously to adolescence (postnatal day (PND) 50) or adulthood (PND 13
2) increased bone mineral content (BMC) or bone strength in female rat offs
pring. Offspring were exposed to basal diet (BD) or one of two doses of SDG
(50S, 100S) equivalent to that in a 50 or 100 g flaxseed/kg diet during la
ctation only or through to PND 50 or 132. At PND 50 and 132, femurs were an
alysed for BMC by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and biomechanical streng
th by a 3-point bending test. Compared with BD group, rats exposed to conti
nuous 50S or 100S diet had stronger femurs at PND 50 without changes in BMC
. At PND 132 there were no differences in femur strength despite the fact t
hat continuous exposure to BD resulted in a higher (P<0.05) BMC than rats e
xposed to 100S during lactation only or to 50S or 100S during lactation thr
ough to adulthood. In conclusion, female rat bone is more sensitive to the
oestrogen-like action of lignans during early life when endogenous levels o
f sex hormones are low, but by adulthood the improved bone strength does no
t persist. Importantly, exposure to purified lignan does not have negative
effects on bone strength.