Effect of dietary garlic and onion on liver and tibial mineral concentrations in omega-3 fatty acids rich oil fed rats

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the effect of garlic or onion (2%) on mineral concentrations in liver and tibia of rats fed with diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Experiments were carried out on Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed AIN93 semi-purified diets containing either 8 % flaxseed or olive oils replacing corn oil with or without garlic or onion (2%) for 28 days. The analysis of minerals calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) of liver and tibia were conducted by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed significantly increased Zn, Mg and P concentrations in liver and K, Na and P in tibia of rats fed on flaxseed oil diet, compared to rats fed on olive oil diet. While the liver Fe and K as well as tibial Ca and Mg were significantly decreased. The addition of garlic powder (2%) to the olive oil diet produced a marked increase in liver Ca, Zn, K, Mg and P levels .However, there was noticeable reduction in liver Fe and tibial Ca and Na levels. No change in tibial Zn level was found by the addition of either garlic or onion powders (2%) to the olive oil diet. Liver of rats fed on olive oil diet with onion powder (2%) have noticeable elevation in Zn, Mg and P and reduction in Fe and K levels. There was a significant decrease in tibial Ca and Na levels, compared to rats fed on olive oil control diet. Flaxseed oil diet with garlic powders (2%) led to a significant increase in liver P and tibial Mg concentrations. Although a marked reduce was observed in liver Na and tibial Ca, Zn, Na and P levels. The same addition to the same diet caused a non significant decrease in liver Zn and Na as well as tibial Ca, Fe and Zn concentrations. The addition of onion powder (2%) to flaxseed oil diet produced a noticeable increase in liver Fe, k and P levels as well as tibial Mg level. Meanwhile, no marked increase was found in liver Ca, Zn and Na levels and decrease in liver Mg and tibial Fe. A significant decrease was found in tibial Ca, Zn, Na and P concentrations. In conclusion: the present study concluded that adding garlic or onion to diet rich in mono or poly unsaturated fatty acids elevate the levels of some minerals in liver and tibia of rats, Which contributes to the maintenance of the health status of the liver and bone.