title: Effects of Yerba Mate (IIex paraguariensis) on Histomorphometry, Biomechanics, and Densitometry on Bones in the Rat.
abstract: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a xanthine-containing beverage, which is also rich in caffeine. Because caffeine has a negative impact on bone mineral density (BMD) mainly associated with low calcium (Ca) diets, there would be expected a negative effect of yerba mate on bone. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6/group): Control + Ca 0.2 g %; Control + Ca 0.9 g %; Yerba + Ca 0.2 g %; Yerba + Ca 0.9 g %. At the end of the experiment, tibias and femurs were obtained for BMD, morphometric, histomorphometric, and biomechanical analyses. While there was no difference in bone parameters between rats with and without yerba mate consumption, a negative effect of low Ca diet was observed in BMD, morphometric, histomorphometric, and biomechanical results. Interaction between Ca content in the diet and yerba mate was only found in trabecular bone volume, which would indicate that the negative effect of low Ca intake on bone volume is reversed in part by yerba mate infusion. However, yerba mate was not able to reverse the negative effect of low Ca content on biomechanical properties and trabecular connectivity. In summary, at least in our study, yerba mate would not have a negative effect on bone and would be safe for the bone health of consumers.
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina. lbrun@unr.edu.ar.|National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina. lbrun@unr.edu.ar.|Cátedra de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Santa Fe 3100, (2000) Rosario, Argentina. lbrun@unr.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Lucas R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina.|National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brance
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina.|National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lombarte
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Cielo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: Verónica Elina
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Di Loreto
authors.affiliation: Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Argentina.|National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.|Rosario National University Research Council, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rigalli
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D030019:Ilex paraguariensis / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Bone; Ilex paraguariensis; Yerba mate