Substitution crackers with sesame and sunflower seeds and its effect on osteoporotic rats

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of substituting wheat flour in crackers with sesame and sunflower seeds (at different ratios) on bone health in osteoporotic rats. Fifty-six non-pregnant female albino rats were divided into two groups, the first main group: (8rats) fed on basal diet, as a control negative (-ve), the second main group (48 rats) were injected intramuscularly with DEX at dose (7 mg/kg b.wt.) once weekly up to four weeks to cause osteoporosis then divided in to 6 subgroups of eight rats each , as follows: subgroup (1) fed on basal diet, as a positive control (+ve), subgroup (2) fed on basal diet  + 25 % control crackers/ diet/day, subgroup (3) fed on basal diet + 25 % (70% WF+ 30% sesame ) crackers/diet / day, subgroup (4) fed on basal diet + 25 % (70% WF+ 30% sunflower ) crackers/diet/day, subgroup (5) fed on basal diet + 25 % (60% WF+ 20% sesame +20% sunflower) crackers/diet/day, subgroup (6) fed on basal diet + 25 % (70% WF+ 15% sesame +15% sunflower) crackers/diet/day. The results showed that sesame and sunflower seeds significantly increased protein, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus in crackers with (60% wheat + 20% sesame + 20% sunflower).  Also, calcium and phosphors level increased in femur bone of rats fed on diet containing crackers with (60% WF+ 20% sesame +20% sunflower) compared to the positive subgroup (1), and nearly matching the negative control. Crackers with (70% WF+ 15% sesame +15% sunflower) caused the lowest decrease in AST, ALT, ALP compared to the positive subgroup (1). Urea and uric acid levels significant decreased in rats fed on diet containing crackers with (60% WF+ 20% sesame +20% sunflower) compared to the positive subgroup (1). The creatinine level significant decreased in rats fed on diet containing crackers with (70% WF+ 15% sesame +15% sunflower). Lateral radiographic view of tibia, fibula and distal extremity of femur showing remineralization of cortical thickness and normal radiographic findings in rats fed on diet containing crackers with (70% WF+ 15% sesame +15% sunflower).