The effect of pomegranate on postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats.
10.5468/kjog.2010.53.4.354
- Author:
Ki Hoon AHN
1
;
Kyong Wook YI
;
Hyun Tae PARK
;
Jung Ho SHIN
;
Jun Young HUR
;
Young Tae KIM
;
Sun Haeng KIM
;
Kyu Wan LEE
;
Chun Sik BAE
;
Tak KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Medical Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. tkim@kumc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pomegranate;
Postmenopausal syndrome
- MeSH:
Animals;
Epithelium;
Female;
Gonadal Steroid Hormones;
Homocysteine;
Humans;
Ovariectomy;
Punicaceae;
Rats;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Salicylamides;
Skin Temperature;
Tail;
Thiobarbiturates;
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances;
Urinary Bladder
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2010;53(4):354-359
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were used: A, no intervention; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate; E, ovariectomy and 20% pomegranate; and F, ovariectomy and 40% pomegranate. The study samples were obtained 4 weeks later. The following parameters were investigated for analyses: the thickness of urogenital epithelium, tail skin temperature, serum levels of sex hormones, lipid profile, homocysteine, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: 20% pomegranate had a transient thickening effect of bladder epithelial layer. There was an intermittent lowering effect of tail skin temperature of pomegranate extract, however, it was not consistent. There were lowering effect in serum homocysteine and elevating effect in serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Pomegranate did not reverse post-ovariectomy reduced sex hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate extract showed a tendency to reverse ovariectomy-related urothelial changes. Also pomegranate had a serum homocysteine-lowering effect.