The effect of pomegranate juice consumption on bone histomorphometric parameters with the use of an animal model

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate juice consumption on bone histomorphometric parameters using an animal model. The animals (rats) were divided into 7 experimental groups. The groups differed in the concentration of pomegranate juice administered. The control group received only water, the other groups were supplied with commercial or freshly squeezed pomegranate juice at concentrations of 10%, 25% and 50%. To study the structure of the proximal end of the tibia, a Skyscan 1174 X-ray microtomography device, equipped with a 1.3Mp FW VDS camera, was used. The proximal end (metaphysis) of the left tibia was examined. The following bone tissue parameters were analysed: bone mineral density (BMD) (mm3), the number of trabeculae (Tb.N) (mm-1), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) (mm) and trabecular thickness (Tb. Th) (mm), BS/BV(mm-1). It was found that 25% pomegranate juice, both freshly squeezed and commercial, significantly increased bone density (BMD), increased trabecular thickness (Tb.TH), and reduced the distance between trabeculae (Tb.SP) compared to the control group and groups receiving juice at other concentrations. The highest BMD, the thickest trabeculae and the smallest distance between trabeculae were observed after the application of fresh 25% pomegranate juice. Thus, it can be concluded that pomegranate juice, especially freshly squeezed, improves bone density.