The effects of quercetin on bone minerals, biomechanical behavior, and structure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of quercetin (QE) on bone minerals and biomechanics in insulin-dependent diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by 50 mg kg-1 intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) in a single dose. The rats were randomly allotted into four experimental groups: A (control), B (non-diabetic + QE), C (diabetic), and D (diabetic + QE) each containing 10 animals. The diabetic rats received QE (15 mg kg-1 day-1) for 4 weeks following 8 weeks of STZ injection. Blood samples were taken to determine glucose, insulin, calcium, and magnesium levels. The rats' femora were assessed biomechanically at femoral mid-diaphysis and neck. It was found that QE treatment increased insulin, calcium, and magnesium levels. Three-point bending of the femoral mid-diaphysis and necks showed significantly lower maximum load values (Fmax) in animals in the STZ group than the QE + STZ or control groups (p < 0.05). The results support the conclusion that QE treatment may decrease blood glucose and increase plasma insulin, calcium, and magnesium. QE treatment may also be effective in bone mineral metabolism, biomechanical strength, and bone structure in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd