title: Genistein treatment increases bone mass in obese, hyperglycemic mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with elevated risk of limb bone fracture. Incidences of these conditions are on the rise worldwide. Genistein, a phytoestrogen, has been shown by several studies to demonstrate bone-protective properties and may improve bone health in obese type 2 diabetics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we test the effects of genistein treatment on limb bone and growth plate cartilage histomorphometry in obese, hyperglycemic ob/ob mice. Six-week-old ob/ob mice were divided into control and genistein-treated groups. Genistein-treated mice were fed a diet containing 600 mg genistein/kg for a period of 4 weeks. Cross-sectional geometric and histomorphometric analyses were conducted on tibias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genistein-treated mice remained obese and hyperglycemic. However, histomorphometric comparisons show that genistein-treated mice have greater tibial midshaft diameters and ratios of cortical bone to total tissue area than the controls. Genistein-treated mice also exhibit decreased growth plate thickness of the proximal tibia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that genistein treatment affects bone of the tibial midshaft in the ob/ob mouse, independent of improvements in the hyperglycemic state and body weight.
authors.affiliation: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Layla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Al-Nakkash
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Diabetes and Exercise Metabolism, Department of Physiology, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Broderick
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Plochocki
keywords: bone; genistein; hyperglycemia; ob/ob mice; obesity