Effect of pure genistein on bone markers and hot flushes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of 90 mg of daily genistein on markers of bone turnover and menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
This was a cross-over, placebo-controlled study involving 100 postmenopausal women. Subjects were randomly assigned to daily genistein or placebo for 6 weeks and crossed over to the alternative preparation for the following 6 weeks. Pure genistein was processed and encapsulated in accordance with British Pharmacopoeia standards. Each capsule contained 90 mg of pure genistein while the placebo contained just the recipients.


RESULTS
In women with significant hot flushes (score (intensity x number) > or = 9), genistein reduced symptoms by 30% compared to baseline and the difference compared to placebo was statistically significant. No effect was observed on biochemical markers of bone turnover, possibly due to the short duration of each arm of the study. Genistein reduced osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, by 3.6% compared to baseline and 0.31% compared to placebo (p = 0.81 and 0.40, respectively). Genistein increased cross-link telopeptide, a marker of bone resorption, by 1.8% compared to baseline and 0.29% compared to placebo; both differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.078 and 0.88, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Pure genistein at a dose of 90 mg per day appears to reduce the number of hot flushes in postmenopausal women but the effect is mild.
Albertazzi
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P
Centre for Metabolic Bone Disease, University of Hull, UK.
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Bottazzi
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D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D024042:Collagen Type I; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D060754:Equol; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects
C007610:4',7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoflavone; D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D007529:Isoflavones; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D060754:Equol; D003094:Collagen; D019833:Genistein