title: Influence of equol and resveratrol supplementation on health-related quality of life in menopausal women: A randomized, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the effects of equol and resveratrol supplementation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in otherwise healthy menopausal women with hot flashes, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty recently menopausal women aged 50-55 years were randomized in a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial to receive 200mg of fermented soy containing 10mg of equol and 25mg of resveratrol (1 tablet/day). The primary outcome was the change in score on the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), used to evaluate the severity of age-/menopause-related complaints. Additional outcome measures included the subject-reported score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), which was used specifically to assess sleep quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptoms assessed by the MRS improved during treatment in the active group. Comparison between placebo and treatment groups revealed statistically significant improvement in particular for dryness of vagina (-85.7%) (p<0.001), heart discomfort (-78.8%; p<0.001) and sexual problems (-73.3%; p<0.001). On the HAM-D significant improvements at week 12 were seen in work and activities (-94.1%) (p<0.001). Subjects treated with equol and resveratrol also had significant differences in the sleep domain of the NHP (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide evidence that 12 weeks of dietary supplementation with equol and resveratrol may improve menopause-related quality of life in healthy women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy. Electronic address: sergio.davinelli@unimol.it.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scapagnini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marzatico
authors.affiliation: Farcoderm S.r.l., San Martino Siccomario, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Graziamaria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corbi
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D060754:Equol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013267:Stilbenes; D060754:Equol; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: Equol; Menopause; Phytoestrogens; Resveratrol