Category Archives: Isoflavones

Isoflavones + FOS Synergy in Rats

Abstract

Synergistic effect of isoflavone glycosides and fructooligosaccharides on postgastrectomy osteopenia in rats.

Fructooligosaccharides stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria, which cleave isoflavone glycosides to yield corresponding aglycones, and convert metabolites by enhancing enterohepatic recirculation of isoflavones in rats. In the present study, we determined the synergistic effect of dietary isoflavone glycosides and fructooligosaccharides on postgastrectomy osteopenia in rats. Nine-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were gastrectomized (n = 20) or sham operated, (control, n = 5) and then randomly assigned to 5 diet groups: sham-a purified diet control, gastrectomized-control, gastrectomized-isoflavone (0.2% isoflavone glycosides), gastrectomized-fructooligosaccharides (7.5% fructooligosaccharides), and isoflavone and fructooligosaccharides (0.2% isoflavone glycosides + 7.5% fructooligosaccharides). After 6 weeks, the rats were killed and biological samples were collected. In gastrectomized rats, fructooligosaccharides prevented femoral bone fragility, but isoflavone without fructooligosaccharides did not inhibit postgastrectomy osteopenia. Isoflavone and fructooligosaccharides exhibited a synergistic in the distal metaphyseal trabecular bone, indicated by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Moreover, fructooligosaccharides increased calcium absorption and equol production from daidzein in gastrectomized rats. These results indicate that isoflavone alone did not inhibit postgastrectomy osteopenia, but the combination of isoflavone and fructooligosaccharides improved the inhibition of trabecular bone loss by increasing calcium absorption and equol production through fructooligosaccharides supplementation.

Kimira Y, Tajima K, Ohta A, Ishimi Y…
J Clin Biochem Nutr Sep 2012
PMID: 22962536 | Free Full Text

FOS + Genistin Increases Bone Density in Rats

Abstract

Combination of genistin and fructooligosaccharides prevents bone loss in ovarian hormone deficiency.

We have reported that soy isoflavones are capable of preventing loss of bone mineral density (BMD) in rats due to ovariectomy. The intestinal microflora is important in rendering soy isoflavones bioavailability by facilitating their conversion to equol. Hence, substances that can modulate the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability of isoflavones. The purpose of this study was to examine whether combination of genistin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic, can enhance the effects of soy isoflavones on bone in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Forty-eight 90-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham; one group) or Ovx (three groups) and were placed on dietary treatment for 50 days. The Sham and one Ovx group received a control diet, and the remaining Ovx groups received genistin-rich isoflavones diet (Ovx+G) or genistin-rich isoflavones and FOS diet (Ovx+G+FOS). After 50 days, blood and bone specimens were collected for analysis. The genistin-rich isoflavones diet was able to significantly increase the whole-body, right femur, and fourth lumbar BMD by 1.6%, 1.48%, and 1.3%, respectively in comparison with the Ovx control. The combination of genistin-rich isoflavones diet and 5% FOS further increased whole-body, right femur, and fourth lumbar BMD more compared to the genistin-rich isoflavones diet. Our findings suggest that although a genistin-rich isoflavones diet can increase the BMD in rats with Ovx-induced bone loss, combination of genistin-rich isoflavones and FOS had greater effect in preventing bone loss in this rat model.

Hooshmand S, Juma S, Arjmandi BH
J Med Food Apr 2010
PMID: 20132047

According to Wikipedia, Genistin should be converted to Genistein when ingested.

Review: Calcium, Vitamin D, K, Phytoestrogens

Abstract

Diet, nutrition, and bone health.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects many older people. Fragility fractures are the hallmark of osteoporosis. Although nutrition is only 1 of many factors that influence bone mass and fragility fractures, there is an urgent need to develop and implement nutritional approaches and policies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis that could, with time, offer a foundation for population-based preventive strategies. However, to develop efficient and precocious strategies in the prevention of osteoporosis, it is important to determine which modifiable factors, especially nutritional factors, are able to improve bone health throughout life. There are potentially numerous nutrients and dietary components that can influence bone health, and these range from the macronutrients to micronutrients as well as bioactive food ingredients. The evidence-base to support the role of nutrients and food components in bone health ranges from very firm to scant, depending on the nutrient/component. This article initially overviews osteoporosis, including its definition, etiology, and incidence, and then provides some information on possible dietary strategies for optimizing bone health and preventing osteoporosis. The potential benefits of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K(1), phytoestrogens, and nondigestible oligosaccharides are briefly discussed, with particular emphasis on the evidence base for their benefits to bone. It also briefly considers some of the recent findings that highlight the importance of some dietary factors for bone health in childhood and adolescence.

Cashman KD
J. Nutr. Nov 2007
PMID: 17951494 | Free Full Text

Equol is Bone Sparing, Like Isoflavones in Rats

Abstract

Modulation of soy isoflavones bioavailability and subsequent effects on bone health in ovariectomized rats: the case for equol.

Soy products are of particular interest because of their potential health benefits in a range of hormonal conditions, such as osteoporosis, due to their high content in phytoestrogens. Because equol, the main metabolite from soy isoflavones, is thought to be powerful, the present study was designated to evaluate the bone-sparing effects of equol by either providing the molecule through the diet or by eliciting its endogenous production by modulating intestinal microflora by short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) or live microbial (Lactobacillus casei) together with daidzein, its precursor.
A comparison with daidzein and genistein was also performed. Rats (3 months old) were ovariectomised (OVX) or sham-operated (SH). Ovariectomised rats were randomly assigned to six experimental diets for 3 months: a control diet (OVX), the control diet supplemented with either genistein (G), or daidzein (D), or equol (E) at the level of 10 microg/g body weight/d. The remaining OVX rats were given daidzein at the dose of 10 mug/g body weight/d, simultaneously with short-chain FOS (Actilight, Beghin-Meiji) (D+FOS) or Lactobacillus casei (Actimel, Danone) (D+L). The SH rats were given the same control diet as OVX.
Genistein, daidzein or equol exhibited a bone sparing effect. Indeed, total femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly enhanced (compared to that of OVX rats), as was the metaphyseal compartment. Bone strength was improved by E consumption, but not by genistein or daidzein given alone. As far as the FOS diet is concerned, the addition of prebiotics significantly raised efficiency of the daidzein protective effect on both femoral BMD and mechanical properties. The effects of lactobacillus were similar, except that the increase in metaphyseal-BMD was not significant.
In conclusion, long-term equol consumption, like genistein and daidzein, in the ovariectomized rat, provides bone sparing effects. Adding indigestible sugars, such as FOS or live microbial as L. casei, in the diet significantly improves daidzein protective effects on the skeleton.

Mathey J, Mardon J, Fokialakis N, Puel C…
Osteoporos Int May 2007
PMID: 17333448

FOS + Soy Effects Additive For Some Parameters in Rats

Abstract

The effects of fructo-oligosaccharides in combination with soy protein on bone in osteopenic ovariectomized rats.

The intestinal microflora is important in rendering soy isoflavones bioavailable by facilitating their conversion to equol. Hence, substances that can modulate the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability of isoflavones. In this study, we examined the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic, on enhancing the effects of soy isoflavones on bone in ovariectomized osteopenic female rats.
Sixty-three 9-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham; one group) or ovariectomized (Ovx; four groups) and were fed a control diet for 3 months to induce bone loss. After bone loss was confirmed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, rats were placed on dietary treatment for 4 months. The Sham and one Ovx group received a control diet, and the remaining Ovx groups received either a soy protein-based diet (Soy), a FOS-supplemented diet (FOS), or a soy protein-based and FOS-supplemented diet (Soy+FOS). Before the termination of the study, whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assessed under anesthesia. Immediately after euthanasia, bone specimens were collected for the assessments of BMD, BMC, and biomechanical and microarchitectural properties.
Whole-body BMD values were significantly higher in FOS and Soy+FOS groups compared with Ovx controls. The tibial BMC increased by 10%, 6%, and 4% in Soy, FOS, and Soy+FOS groups, respectively, compared to the Ovx control group. FOS and FOS+Soy treatments had the most pronounced effects in enhancing lumbar BMC and BMD. The FOS+Soy combination effectively improved tibial microarchitectural properties by enhancing trabecular number and lowering trabecular separation compared with Ovx controls. The effects of dietary treatments on lumbar microarchitectural properties were minimal and biomechanical properties of the femur were not affected by any of the dietary treatments.
Our findings suggest that, although incorporation of either soy or FOS in the diet of Ovx rats can improve BMD of the whole body, tibiae, and lumbar vertebrae, their combination had no any additive effects. However, in terms of microarchitecture, the combination of soy and FOS had a greater effect in reversing the loss of certain microarchitectural parameters such as tibial trabecular number, separation, and thickness.

Devareddy L, Khalil DA, Korlagunta K, Hooshmand S…
Menopause
PMID: 16837891

Review: Inulin, Isoflavones, Calcium

Abstract

Inulin-type fructans and bone health: state of the art and perspectives in the management of osteoporosis.

If the primary role of diet is to provide sufficient nutrients to meet the metabolic requirements of an individual, there is an emerging rationale to support the hypothesis that, by modulating specific target functions in the body, it can help achieve optimal health. Regarding osteoporosis prevention, since Ca is most likely to be inadequate in terms of dietary intake, every strategy targeting an improvement in Ca absorption is very interesting. Actually, this process may be susceptible to manipulation by fermentable substrates. In this light, inulin-type fructans are very interesting, even if we need to gather more data targeting bone metabolism before health professionals can actively advocate their consumption to prevent senile osteoporosis. Besides targeting the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, inulin-type fructans still remain a source for putative innovative dietary health intervention. Indeed, given in combination with isoflavones, they may have a potential for maintaining or improving the bone mass of human subjects, by modulating the bioavailability of phyto-oestrogens.

Coxam V
Br. J. Nutr. Apr 2005
PMID: 15877884

FOS Increases Efficiency of Isoflavones in Rats

Abstract

Fructooligosaccharides maximize bone-sparing effects of soy isoflavone-enriched diet in the ovariectomized rat.

Isoflavones (IF) have been increasingly implicated for use in the prevention of osteoporosis. As their bioavailability could be improved by modulating intestinal microflora, the present study was undertaken to investigate whether IF and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are known to modify large-bowel flora and metabolism, may exhibit a cooperative bone-sparing effect. This work was carried out on 3-month-old Wistar rats assigned to 12 groups: 2 SH (sham-operated) and 10 OVX (ovariectomized). Animals received a diet for 90 days containing total IF (Prevastei HC, Central Soya) at 0 (OVX and SH), 10 (IF10), 20 (IF20), 40 (IF40), or 80 (IF80) microg/g body weight per day. FOS (Actilight, Beghin-Meiji) were orally given to half of the groups, (OVX FOS), (IF10 FOS), (IF20 FOS), (IF40 FOS), (IF80 FOS), and (SH FOS). Isoflavones exhibited a bone-sparing effect as soon as consumption reached 20 microg/g/day, whereas only the highest dose induced a weak uterotrophic activity. Indeed, total femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly enhanced (compared with that of OVX rats), as was the metaphyseal compartment. Bone strength was improved as well. As far as the FOS diet is concerned, addition of prebiotics significantly raised the efficiency of the IF protective effect on both femoral BMD and mechanical properties. The trend toward higher BMD levels with the lowest IF dose (IF10) even reached a significant level when FOS were added. This effect could be explained by a reduced bone resorption. In conclusion, daily IF consumption prevented castration-induced osteopenia by decreasing bone resorption when given at 20, 40, or 80 microg (total isoflavones)/g/day. Simultaneous FOS consumption improved IF protective effect on the skeleton, with the lowest IF dose becoming efficient. Enhancement of IF bioavailability, following FOS fermentation, is probably involved.

Mathey J, Puel C, Kati-Coulibaly S, Bennetau-Pelissero C…
Calcif. Tissue Int. Aug 2004
PMID: 15164148

FOS Increases Isoflavone Bioavailability in Mice

Abstract

A combination of dietary fructooligosaccharides and isoflavone conjugates increases femoral bone mineral density and equol production in ovariectomized mice.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria, which cleave isoflavone conjugates to yield the corresponding aglycones and metabolites. In a previous study, FOS modified the absorption and enterohepatic recirculation of isoflavones in rats. In the present study, we determined the effect of the combination of dietary FOS and isoflavone conjugates on bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) and surgical control mice. After undergoing OVX or sham operation, female ddY mice (8 wk old, n = 64) were randomly assigned to four groups: a purified control diet (AIN-93G) group, a FOS diet (AIN-93G + 5% FOS) group, an isoflavone diet (AIN-93G + 0.2% isoflavone conjugates) group, or a FOS and isoflavone diet (AIN-93G + 5% FOS + 0.2% isoflavone conjugates) group. After 6 wk, the mice were killed and the blood and femora were sampled immediately. In OVX mice, both isoflavone conjugates and FOS prevented femoral bone loss. An additive effect of dietary isoflavone conjugates and FOS was observed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the distal part of the femur and in trabecular bone, by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Moreover, FOS increased cecal beta-glucosidase activity and equol production from daidzein in both OVX and surgical control mice fed isoflavone conjugates. These results suggest that FOS increase the bioavailability of isoflavones, leading to cooperative effects in the prevention of osteopenia in OVX mice.

Ohta A, Uehara M, Sakai K, Takasaki M…
J. Nutr. Jul 2002
PMID: 12097691 | Free Full Text