title: The effects of natural S-equol supplementation on skin aging in postmenopausal women:  a pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the natural S-equol supplement on skin aging in equol-nonproducing Japanese postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the use of the natural S-equol supplement for 12 weeks in 101 postmenopausal Japanese women who were equol nonproducers. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo (n = 34), 10 mg S-equol/day (EQL10; n = 34), or 30 mg S-equol/day (EQL30; n = 33). Skin parameters of crow's-feet wrinkles (area and depth), hydration, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity were measured at baseline and at monthly intervals during treatment. Vaginal cytology, endometrial thickness, and mammography were performed before and after treatment. Serum hormone concentrations were measured at the same time as skin parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EQL10 and EQL30 groups showed significant reductions in wrinkle area compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in wrinkle depth between the placebo group and the EQL30 group (P < 0.05). Other skin parameters did not show significant differences after the treatment in any group. There were no abnormal results in hormone status or gynecological examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that natural S-equol supplementation (EQL10 and EQL30) may have a beneficial effect on crow's-feet wrinkles in postmenopausal women without serious adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Saga, Japan. a_oyama@research.otsuka.co.jp
authors.forename: Ayuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oyama
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Tomohiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aihara
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.forename: Sumio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D060754:Equol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000652:urine; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010919:Placebos; D060754:Equol