大豆异黄酮摄入显著抑制女性骨丢失:随机对照研究的meta分析

目的采用meta分析方法研究大豆异黄酮摄入对骨丢失影响。方法搜索MEDLINE、中国期刊网等中外数据库,收集了考察大豆异黄酮摄入与尿脱氧吡啶酚(Dpyr)、血清骨特异性碱性磷酸酶(BAP)、脊椎骨骨密度(SBMD)相关的随机对照研究,并对符合纳入标准的研究进行了meta分析。结果纳入18篇研究,978个研究对象。与对照组相比,大豆异黄酮组尿Dpyr的浓度显著降低,其效应值为-2.08nmol/mmol(95%CI:-3.82～0.34);血清BAP的浓度显著升高了1.48μg/L(95%CI:0.22,2.75),大豆异黄酮摄入组SBMD显著增加了20.6mg/cm2(95%CI:4.5～36.6)。当大豆异黄酮摄入量大于90mg/d或持续时间6个月时,对SBMD的影响效应值分别为28.5mg/cm2(95%CI:8.4～48.6)和27mg/cm2(95%CI:8.3～45.8)。结论大豆异黄酮干预能显著地抑制骨吸收和刺激骨形成,从而改善骨质量,防止妇女骨质疏松的发生。     

Effects of isoflavone supplementation on the bone mineral density of growing female rats

This study was focused on whether or not isoflavones affect the increase in bone mineral density of growing females. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (60 ± 5 g) were randomly assigned to two groups and provided control diets (control group) or isoflavone-supplemented diet (IF group, 57.8 mg isoflavones/100 g diet) for 9 weeks in growing female rats. Measurements of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Bone Mineral Content (BMC) on the experimental animals were executed in the 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th weeks. In result, there was no significant difference in spine BMD between the isoflavones supplemented group and the control group. But, the IF group tended to have higher BMD than the control group in between 3 and 9 experimental weeks, and the striking difference could be shown in the 6^th week of feeding. In case of femur BMD, the effects of added isoflavones appeared in the 6^th week of feeding, and it became intensified in the 9^th week of feeding to the extent that the BMD in the IF group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, isoflavone supplementation increased spine BMD per weight in the 6^th week of feeding, and affected the increase of femur BMD in the 9^th week. The result of the experiment implies that it affects positively the formation of spine and femur BMD of growing female rats. The study also suggests that the effects of isoflavone on the pattern of BMD formation might differ from the parts of bones.     

Effects of soy isoflavone consumption on bone structure and milk mineral concentration in a rat model of lactation-associated bone loss

Background  Like menopause, during complete lactation, circulating estrogen concentrations are markedly reduced, resulting in amplified bone resorption. Aim of study  To investigate the effects of soy isoflavones, common dietary components used to mitigate the bone loss of menopause, on the bone loss associated with lactation. Methods  Lactating rats were randomized to one of four diets supplemented with different levels of soy isoflavones (0, 2, 4, 8 mg aglycone isoflavone/g protein). Milk was collected from all dams between days 12 and 15 of lactation and was analyzed for calcium, phosphorus and genistein concentrations. Serum and bones from half of the animals from each diet group were taken at weaning and from the remaining half at 4 weeks post-weaning. Bones underwent histomorphometric analysis and serum was used for genistein determinations. Results  Serum genistein and milk concentrations reflected dietary isoflavone dose. Isoflavone intake had no effect on any of the bone changes associated with lactation or recovery. Milk calcium and mineral concentrations were unaffected by dietary isoflavones. Conclusions  Consumption of soy isoflavones, in levels that can be readily attained through soy foods, have neither protective effects on bone nor deleterious effects on milk quality or quantity during lactation.     

大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨力学性能的影响

目的　探讨植物雌激素大豆异黄酮对大鼠去侧巢后骨密度和骨力学指标变化的影响。方法　腹腔手术切除大鼠双侧卵巢 ,分为去卵巢对照组、大豆异黄酮剂量组和雌激素对照组 ,并设假手术对照组。喂养 16周后 ,分离股骨 ,双能量X射线骨密度仪测定骨密度 (BMD) ,三点弯曲实验法测定骨力学指标弯曲强度 (Flexuralstrengh)和弯曲弹性模量 (Flexuralelasticmodule) ,分析天平称量骨的重量。结果　大鼠去卵巢后骨密度显著下降 ,股骨的力学性能指标有较大变化。给予大豆异黄酮和雌激素后 ,可使骨密度显著提高 (P <0 0 1) ,存在一定的剂量 -效应关系 ,弯曲强度和弯曲弹性模量明显增加。雌激素组 (EC)大鼠的股骨长度和不同状态下的骨重量显著降低 ,其它各组之间经统计学分析无显著性变化。结论　大豆异黄酮和雌激素可增加去卵巢大鼠股骨骨密度、改善骨的生物力学性能     

大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠血脂及骨生化指标的影响研究

探讨大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠血清中血脂指标、骨代谢生化指标及激素水平的影响。选择 4月龄的Wistar大鼠 ,根据体重随机分为 6组。除 1组行单纯开腹手术外 ,其它 5组均切除双侧卵巢 ,分别为 :去卵巢对照组 ;高剂量大豆异黄酮组 ;中剂量大豆异黄酮组和低剂量大豆异黄酮组 ;雌激素组。喂养 16周后 ,处死大鼠 ,分离血清进行分析指标的测定。结果发现 :给予去卵巢大鼠大豆异黄酮后 ,血清中高密度脂蛋白(HDL)含量与去卵巢对照组相比有所增高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;总胆固醇 (TC)、甘油三酯 (TG)指标下降 ;骨吸收指标显著降低 ,骨形成指标骨钙素水平与去卵巢组比有所提高 ;同时 ,大鼠切除卵巢后 ,体内雌激素水平显著下降。结果显示 :大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠的血脂有一定的调节作用 ,对骨吸收有显著的抑制作用     

大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨钙、骨强度的影响

目的　利用卵巢切除大鼠模型 ,研究大豆异黄酮对体内骨转换、雌二醇、骨钙含量及骨强度的影响 ,探讨大豆异黄酮的剂量 效应关系。方法　卵巢切除大鼠分为 3个剂量组 ,分别灌胃给与 12 . 6 5 (L SI,低剂量组 ) ,2 5 . 30(M SI ,中剂量组 ) ,37. 95mg/(kg·bw) (H SI ,高剂量组 )。同时设阴性对照组 (OVX)和假手术组 (Sham) ,以蒸馏水灌胃。喂养 12周后 ,处死大鼠 ,分离血清 ,同时剥离右侧股骨及右侧胫骨 ,进行各项指标的测定。结果　OVX组骨形成指标碱性磷酸酶 (AKP)比Sham组及H SI组显著升高 (P <0. 0 5 ) ,其骨吸收指标抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶 (StrACP)显著性高于Sham组、M SI组及H SI组 (P <0 . 0 5 )。Sham组及各大豆异黄酮剂量组雌二醇 (E2 )有上升趋势 ,中剂量组(M SI)E2 有显著性上升 (P <0 . 0 5 )。Sham组与大豆异黄酮各剂量组内钙含量与OVX组相比显著增高 ,反映骨强度性能的指标 (最大负载、弹性系数及能量 )也较OVX组明显增强。结论　大豆异黄酮能显著改善但不能完全逆转业已形成的骨质疏松。     

Combined effects of exercise and soy isoflavone diet on paraoxonase, nitric oxide and aortic apoptosis in ovariectomized rats

Menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exercise and soy isoflavone diets have been suggested to reduce the risk of CVD in postmenopausal women. We investigated the effects of exercise, or combined exercise and soy isoflavone diet, on plasma lipid profiles, paraoxonase (PON), nitric oxide (NO) and apoptosis in the aorta of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: OVX with general diet (OVX-GD), OVX with isoflavone diet (OVX-ISO), OVX-GD with exercise training (OVX-ET) and OVX-ISO with exercise training (OVX-ISO+ET). The experimental rats undertook treadmill training (30 min/day, 4 days/week) and/or were supplied a soy isoflavone diet (added to the experimental diet at 2.39 mg/g protein) for 12 weeks. Body weight and levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) increased in the OVX rats and HDL-C decreased. These effects were reduced by exercise and/or soy isoflavone supplementation. PON and NO activities were higher in the OVX-ISO+ET group than in the OVX-GD group. In addition, this group had lower caspase-9 and -3 and higher Bcl-2 expression, and there was less aortic apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that a combination of exercise and a soy isoflavone diet has beneficial effects in terms of protecting against cardiovascular risk factors by controlling lipid profiles and the related enzyme, PON, as well as NO activity and apoptosis of the aorta in OVX rats.     

大豆异黄酮对更年期妇女骨密度影响

目的 拟通过人群膳食干预试验,从细胞因子水平研究植物雌激素大豆异黄酮对更年期妇女骨密度的作用。方法 随机双盲法将90名更年期妇女分为大豆异黄酮组观察和安慰剂对照组,每人每天服用大豆异黄酮90mg或者安慰剂,试验期限6个月。超声法测定爱试对象桡骨远端和胫肌中段的骨密度;酶联免疫学方法测定受试对象血清中细胞因子白介素-6(II-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的水平。结果 服用大豆异酮组受试对象的胫骨骨密度增加明显,差异有统计学意义,安慰剂组受试对象骨密度差异无统计学意义;大豆异黄酮组受试对象血清中IL-6和TNF-α的水平在试验结束后均显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 植物雌激素大豆异黄酮可有效增加更年期妇女骨骼密度,其机制可能是通过降低血清中细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α的水平实现的。     

大豆异黄酮对高胆固醇模型大鼠血清胆固醇浓度和肝脏胆固醇代谢的影响

目的观察大豆异黄酮对高脂模型大鼠血清胆固醇浓度及其肝脏胆固醇代谢关键酶基因表达的影响。方法 9周龄SD雄性大鼠8只喂饲AIN93M饲料（阴性对照组）,18只喂饲高脂饲料建立高胆固醇模型。14 d后将高胆固醇大鼠随机分为异黄酮组（每天灌胃360 mg/kg BW大豆异黄酮）和高脂对照组,喂饲高脂饲料至实验结束。30 d后测血脂,实时定量聚合酶链式反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）测定肝脏羟甲戊二酰辅酶A还原酶（3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase,Hmgcr）、胆固醇7α-羟化酶（cytochrome P450,family 7,subfamily a,polypeptide 1,Cyp7a1）、低密度脂蛋白受体（low density lipoprotein receptor,Ldlr）mRNA表达量。结果异黄酮组大鼠血清总胆固醇（total cholesterol,TC）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDLC）浓度分别比高脂对照组降低了23.7%（q=2.79,P=0.010）和23.2%（q=2.63,P=0.015）;动物肝脏的Hmgcr和Cyp7a1 mRNA表达量均出现下降,但差异无统计学意义（均有P〉0.05）。结论大豆异黄酮可明显降低高胆固醇大鼠血清TC和LDLC浓度,有可能影响肝脏胆固醇代谢。     

Soybean and soy isoflavone intake indicate a positive change in bone mineral density for 2 years in young Korean women

Many studies have shown that soybean and isoflavones have a favorable effect on bone mass for postmenopausal women, but few data are available on young Asian women. To investigate the effect of soybean and isoflavone intake on bone mineral density (BMD) and its change among young Korean women over 2 years, we conducted a longitudinal study for 34 women. The BMD was measured 3 times with 1-year intervals by dual x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and femur (neck, Ward's triangle [WT], and trochanter). Dietary intake was assessed up to 8 times by 24-hour recall with average 4-month interval. During the study period, BMD increased significantly for lumber spine and WT (2.5% and 5.2%). The average daily intake of soybeans and isoflavones was 39 g and 8 mg, respectively. Soybean intake and total isoflavone intake had positive correlation on femoral neck (FN) and WT. By longitudinal mixed-model regression analysis, BMD increased 0.26% per 1 mg of isoflavone intake per year in the FN and 0.31% for WT (P = .05 and .008). In conclusion, soybean and isoflavone intake have a positive effect on the change of BMD on the FN and WT among young Korean women. Because soybean and isoflavone intakes could be confounded by other nutrients, the positive effects of isoflavones on bone should be further investigated.     

Effects of soy isoflavone and/or estrogen treatments on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats

This study investigated whether soy isoflavone intake, with or without estrogen treatment, can reduce postmenopausal bone loss, and whether soy isoflavones can be an alternative for estrogen replacement therapy using a postmenopausal osteoporotic rat model in which ovariectomized female rats were fed a low calcium, high fat diet. Nine-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and then fed low (0.1%) calcium diets with or without soy isoflavone supplementation (80 or 160 ppm) for 6 weeks. Some ovariectomized rats were fed the same diets but also injected with estrogen (10 microg/kg of body weight) subcutaneously. Serum calcium and phosphate levels were normal in all rats. Serum alkaline phosphatase activities were not affected by the treatments. Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activities and urinary hydroxyproline levels were not different between experimental groups. Bone mineral (calcium and phosphorus) contents were increased in the rats supplemented with 80 ppm soy isoflavone or the rats treated with only estrogen without soy isoflavone. Therefore, the effect of 80 ppm soy isoflavone supplementation was the same as estrogen injection, but there was no beneficial effect from combining soy isoflavones and estrogen injections. When 160 ppm soy isoflavone was used, the benefits were lessened or disappeared altogether. These results suggest that appropriate soy isoflavone supplementation prevents postmenopausal bone loss without estrogen injection and may have efficacy as an alternative to estrogen therapy.     

大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠脂、骨代谢的影响

目的 利用去卵巢大鼠作为绝经后动物模型，探讨大豆异黄酮对脂代谢、骨代谢的影响。方法 将成年雌性大鼠腹部手术切除双侧卵巢后，给予不同剂量的大豆异黄酮，喂养4个月后，分离血清进行分析指标测定。结果 大豆异黄酮可提高血清中的HDL和骨形成指标AKT、BGP的浓度；降低血清中的TC和骨吸收指标抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(STrACP)的浓度；对体内雌激素水平的影响较低。结论 大豆异黄酮对实验大鼠的脂代谢、骨代谢有一定的调节作用。     

大豆异黄酮对骨质疏松症动物模型骨代谢及形态学的影响

目的 研究大豆异黄酮（SI）对骨质疏松症动物模型骨代谢及形态学的影响。方法70只雌性SD大鼠按血清总胆固醇（TC）水平用随机数字表法分为7组：高脂组、雌激素组、SI低、中、高剂量组,假手术与正常对照组,前5组摘除双侧卵巢。除正常对照组外,其余各组给予高脂饲料饲养。每周称重1次,灌胃给予受试物,干预周期为12周,分别于去卵巢、给药4、8周、处死前抽取尾静脉血,实验结束后取内脏及骨骼标本,分别测定血清碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性及骨密度等指标,共63只大鼠完成实验。结果 去卵巢后雌激素与SI干预可恢复AKP活性,高剂量SI干预对维持大鼠骨密度的作用与雌激素相似并能缓解因去卵巢造成骨丢失的显微镜像、维护心肌细胞肌微丝与线粒体超微结构的完整性,全视野下以雌激素组、高剂量干预组与正常组结构最为接近,高脂组显微结构损坏明显。结论 SI对去卵巢大鼠的骨代谢及形态学存在一定影响,高剂量干预可使去卵巢大鼠血清AKP酶活性恢复、逆转因去势造成的骨密度下降、维持血清钙、磷水平,低剂量效果不显著。     

Fermented soybeans by Rhizopus oligosporus reduce femoral bone loss in ovariectomized rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Soy isoflavones are structurally similar to estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, suggesting that they exhibit estrogenic activities; therefore, they are referred to as phytoestrogens. Fermentation may affect the bioavailability of isoflavones altering soy isoflavone glycosides in the form of aglycones. Thus, this study investigated the effects of fermented soybeans by Rhizopus oligosporus on bone metabolism in both young rats as a pilot test and in ovariectomized (ovx) old rats as a model of menopause.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In the pilot test, a total of 24 seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed one of three diets for a period of four weeks: casein, unfermented soybean product, or fermented soybean product by R. oligosporus. In the ovx rat model, 20-week-old SD rats weighing 260-290 g underwent either sham-operation (n = 10) or bilateral ovariectomy (n = 30) and were then fed the AIN-93M diet for one week. Thereafter, rats were fed sham-casein, ovx-casein, ovx-soybean, or ovx-fermented soybean diet for five weeks. After decapitation, femoral bones were isolated and preserved in 9% formalin for assessment of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone-breaking strength (BBS).

RESULTS

Ovx rats showed significantly increased weight gain and decreased uterine wet weight. Of particular interest, ovx rats fed fermented soybeans showed increased uterine wet weights compared to control rats. Fermented soybean diet caused a significant increase in plasma 17-β estradiol concentrations in young rats, and 17-β estradiol levels were enhanced in ovx rats to match those of sham-operated ones. Significantly lower femoral BMD and BMC were observed in ovx rats compared to sham-operated controls, whereas bone areas did not differ statistically among the groups. In addition, BBS tended to be increased in ovx rats fed soybeans and fermented soybeans.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation of fermented soybeans could have preventive and therapeutic effects against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.     

植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D_3联合预防去卵巢小鼠骨质疏松的作用

目的评价不同剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用预防卵巢切除小鼠骨质疏松的作用。方法 63只平均体重29g CD-1雌性小鼠随机分为7组,包括Sham组、卵巢切除(OVX)组、OVX给药组分为碳酸钙、维生素D3联合染料木黄酮的高剂量组(GH 67mg/kg)、中剂量组(GM 33.5mg/kg)、低剂量组(GL 16.75mg/kg)3组以及单纯染料木黄酮组、雌激素组(E2)。给药6周,测定小鼠骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC)、骨生物力学和骨代谢生化指标。结果 GH、GM、GL组对卵巢切除小鼠的子宫有刺激生长作用,其中GL组作用小。GM组明显增加卵巢切除小鼠的BMD、BMC和股骨长度、股骨宽度,GL组明显增加卵巢切除小鼠的BMD(P<0.01)。GL组对卵巢切除小鼠的股骨最大载荷和最大应力升高最显著(P<0.01)。GL组骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)明显升高、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)显著降低(P<0.01)。结论低剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用对卵巢切除小鼠的刺激子宫生长作用小。低剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用增加BMD,改善骨生物力学参数,促进骨形成和抑制骨吸收,降低了染料木黄酮的用量,并且较雌激素安全。     

叶黄素、大豆甙元及卵磷脂对小鼠认知行为影响

目的研究叶黄素、大豆甙元、卵磷脂对小鼠认知行为的影响。方法各组经灌胃持续给药6周,采用跳台和Morris水迷宫对小鼠进行行为学测试,取小鼠血清及脑组织进行生化检测。结果大豆甙元组、卵磷脂组、混合组脑丙二醛(MDA)含量分别为(3.4±0.4)、(3.4±0.4)、(3.2±0.3)nmol/(mg.prot);明显低于空白对照组的(3.8±0.5)nmol/(mg.prot)(P<0.05,P<0.01);叶黄素组、大豆甙元组、混合组及阳性对照组Morris逃避潜伏期分别为(23.09±6.59)、(22.29±7.33)、(21.45±5.45)、(17.54±6.65)s,明显低于空白对照组的(45.80±9.70)s(P<0.05,P<0.05);叶黄素组、大豆甙元组、卵磷脂组、混合组脑5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量分别为(210.08±20.46)、(222.95±15.87)、(225.18±24.56)、(237.97±29.30)ng/mL,明显高于空白对照组的(171.61±32.94)ng/mL(P<0.01),叶黄素、卵磷脂、混合组脑去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量分别为(104.09±7.63)、(...     

绝经妇女补充大豆异黄酮和钙后骨密度的改变及与ER基因Px单倍型的关系

目的 探讨绝经妇女补充大豆异黄酮和钙1年后骨密度(BMD)的改变及与雌激素受体(ER)基因Px单倍型的关系.方法 应用多聚酶链反应.限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)检测691名汉族45～65岁绝经妇女的ER-α的PvuⅡ和Xba Ⅰ酶切位点多态性,从497名Pvu Ⅱ-Xba Ⅰ单倍体确定者中抽取93名进行为期1年的随机对照干预实验.根据基线时BMD测定结果,将T＜-1.5者纳入干预组(共52名),其余的作为观察组(共29名).将干预组对象随机分为2组:补钙+维生素D(VD)组和补钙+VD+大豆异黄酮组.给予的剂量分别为:钙440 mg/d;VD 100 IU/d;大豆异黄酮100 mg/d,正常观察组不给予任何特殊处理,干预期为12个月.采用双能X线吸收仪(DXEA)测量测定基线和终期腰椎及髋部的BMD.结果 试验结束后,观察组的绝经后妇女,全身、腰椎及股骨颈的BMD较基线时降低,变化率分别为-1.88%,-3.31%,-3.09%.ER-α的Px基因型全身BMD较基线时性降低2.44%,而non-Px基因型则无显著性改变.补钙组和补钙+大豆异黄酮组,全身及股骨颈的BMD都较基线时降低,但组间的变化率差异并无统计学意义;而腰椎、大转子的BMD较基线未有显著性的改变,甚至有略微升高.补钙和补大豆异黄酮对BMD的影响与ER-α的基因型无关.结论 妇女绝经后骨量开始丢失,丢失速率似乎与ER基因Px单倍型有相关性.已出现骨量减少的绝经后妇女补钙1年能降低骨量的丢失速率,但补充大豆异黄酮1年尚未观察到对BMD保护的作用.补钙及大豆异黄酮对BMD的干预效果与ER-α基因多态性无关.     

Equol, a metabolite of daidzein, inhibits bone loss in ovariectomized mice

Soybean isoflavones have structures similar to that of estrogen and have received attention as alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Daidzein, a major isoflavone found in soybean, is metabolized to equol by gut microflora, and the metabolite exhibits a stronger estrogenic activity than daidzein. However, there is no direct evidence that equol affects bone metabolism. In this study, we examined the effect of equol on the inhibition of bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Female mice (8 wk old) were assigned to 5 groups as follows: sham-operated (sham), OVX, OVX + 0.1 mg/d equol administration (0.1 Eq), OVX + 0.5 mg/d equol administration (0.5 Eq), and OVX + 0.03 microg/d 17beta-estradiol administration (E(2)). Equol and E(2) were administered s.c., using a mini-osmotic pump. At 4 wk after the intervention, uterine weight was less in the OVX mice than in sham-operated mice (P < 0.05). The weight was maintained in the E(2) group. In contrast, administration of equol at doses used in this study did not affect uterine atrophy in OVX mice. Bone mineral density (BMD) for the whole body in the OVX group measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was lower than that in the sham group, whereas administration of 0.5 mg/d Eq as well as E(2) maintained the BMD. The BMD of the femur and lumbar spine in the OVX group was also lower than those in the sham group, and treatment with 0.5 mg/d Eq maintained it. Notably, the BMD of the proximal femur in the 0.5 Eq group was the same as that of the sham group. E(2) inhibited bone loss from all regions induced by OVX. These results suggest that equol, a major metabolite of daidzein, inhibits bone loss apparently without estrogenic activity in the reproductive organs of OVX mice.