This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints, Permissions and Rights Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wangen, K. E. Articles by Kurzer, M. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wangen, K. E. Articles by Kurzer, M. S.

Effects of Soy Isoflavones on Markers of Bone Turnover in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women¹

Department of Food Science and Nutrition (K.E.W., A.M.D., B.E.M.-D., X.X., M.S.K.), University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108; Aging Study Unit (R.M.), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (W.R.P.), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642.

Address correspondence and requests for reprints to: Mindy S. Kurzer, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. E-mail: mkurzer{at}umn.edu

Soy isoflavones are hypothesized to exert hormonal effects in women and thus may play a role in bone metabolism throughout life. In 2 randomized, cross-over studies, 14 pre- and 17 postmenopausal women were given 3 soy protein isolates containing different amounts of isoflavones [control, 0.13; low isoflavone (low-iso), 1.00; and high-iso, 2.01 mg/kg body wt·day, averaging 8, 65, and 130 mg/day, respectively], for over 3 months each. Food records, blood samples, and 24-h urine collections were obtained throughout the studies. The endpoints evaluated included plasma or serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGFI), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3), and urine concentrations of deoxypyridinoline cross-links and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen. In premenopausal women, IGFI and IGFBP3 concentrations were increased by the low-iso diet, and deoxypyridinoline cross-links was increased by both the low- and high-iso diets during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. In postmenopausal women, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was decreased by both the low- and high-iso diets, and there were trends toward decreased osteocalcin, IGFI, and IGFBP3 concentrations with increasing isoflavone consumption. Although soy isoflavones do affect markers of bone turnover, the changes observed were of small magnitude and not likely to be clinically relevant. These data do not support the hypothesis that dietary isoflavones per se exert beneficial effects on bone turnover in women.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. M. Weaver, B. R. Martin, G. S. Jackson, G. P. McCabe, J. R. Nolan, L. D. McCabe, S. Barnes, S. Reinwald, M. E. Boris, and M. Peacock Antiresorptive Effects of Phytoestrogen Supplements Compared with Estradiol or Risedronate in Postmenopausal Women Using 41Ca Methodology J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2009; 94(10): 3798 - 3805. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M Kenny, K. M Mangano, R. H Abourizk, R. S Bruno, D. E Anamani, A. Kleppinger, S. J Walsh, K. M Prestwood, and J. E Kerstetter Soy proteins and isoflavones affect bone mineral density in older women: a randomized controlled trial Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2009; 90(1): 234 - 242. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Hooper, J.J. Ryder, M.S. Kurzer, J.W. Lampe, M.J. Messina, W.R. Phipps, and A. Cassidy Effects of soy protein and isoflavones on circulating hormone concentrations in pre- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2009; 15(4): 423 - 440. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Vrieling, M. A. Rookus, E. Kampman, J. M.G. Bonfrer, A. Bosma, A. Cats, J. van Doorn, C. M. Korse, B. J.M. Witteman, F. E. van Leeuwen, et al. No Effect of Red Clover-Derived Isoflavone Intervention on the Insulin-Like Growth Factor System in Women at Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., October 1, 2008; 17(10): 2585 - 2593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J Lees, J. R Kaplan, H. Chen, C. P Jerome, T. C Register, and A. A Franke Bone mass and soy isoflavones in socially housed, premenopausal macaques Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2007; 86(1): 245 - 250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. K. Cheong, B. R. Martin, G. S. Jackson, D. Elmore, G. P. McCabe, J. R. Nolan, S. Barnes, M. Peacock, and C. M. Weaver Soy Isoflavones Do Not Affect Bone Resorption in Postmenopausal Women: A Dose-Response Study Using a Novel Approach with 41Ca J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2007; 92(2): 577 - 582. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Vrieling, M. A. Rookus, E. Kampman, J. M. G. Bonfrer, C. M. Korse, J. van Doorn, J. W. Lampe, A. Cats, B. J. M. Witteman, F. E. van Leeuwen, et al. Isolated Isoflavones Do Not Affect the Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor System in Men at Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk J. Nutr., February 1, 2007; 137(2): 379 - 383. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. M. Sacks, A. Lichtenstein, L. Van Horn, W. Harris, P. Kris-Etherton, M. Winston, and for the AHA Nutrition Committee Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Cardiovascular Health: A Summary of a Statement for Professionals From the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 2006; 26(8): 1689 - 1692. [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Zhang, X.-O. Shu, H. Li, G. Yang, Q. Li, Y.-T. Gao, and W. Zheng Prospective Cohort Study of Soy Food Consumption and Risk of Bone Fracture Among Postmenopausal Women Arch Intern Med, September 12, 2005; 165(16): 1890 - 1895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Vatanparast, A. Baxter-Jones, R. A Faulkner, D. A Bailey, and S. J Whiting Positive effects of vegetable and fruit consumption and calcium intake on bone mineral accrual in boys during growth from childhood to adolescence: the University of Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2005; 82(3): 700 - 706. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A Spence, E. R Lipscomb, J. Cadogan, B. Martin, M. E Wastney, M. Peacock, and C. M Weaver The effect of soy protein and soy isoflavones on calcium metabolism in postmenopausal women: a randomized crossover study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2005; 81(4): 916 - 922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Voskuil, A. Vrieling, L. J. van't Veer, E. Kampman, and M. A. Rookus The Insulin-like Growth Factor System in Cancer Prevention: Potential of Dietary Intervention Strategies Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 195 - 203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kreijkamp-Kaspers, L. Kok, D. E. Grobbee, E. H. F. de Haan, A. Aleman, J. W. Lampe, and Y. T. van der Schouw Effect of Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones on Cognitive Function, Bone Mineral Density, and Plasma Lipids in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA, July 7, 2004; 292(1): 65 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Nikander, M. Metsa-Heikkila, O. Ylikorkala, and A. Tiitinen Effects of Phytoestrogens on Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women with a History of Breast Cancer J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2004; 89(3): 1207 - 1212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D Brooks, W. E Ward, J. E Lewis, J. Hilditch, L. Nickell, E. Wong, and L. U Thompson Supplementation with flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2004; 79(2): 318 - 325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Sirtori, M. R. Lovati, C. Manzoni, S. Castiglioni, M. Duranti, C. Magni, S. Morandi, A. D'Agostina, and A. Arnoldi Proteins of White Lupin Seed, a Naturally Isoflavone-Poor Legume, Reduce Cholesterolemia in Rats and Increase LDL Receptor Activity in HepG2 Cells J. Nutr., January 1, 2004; 134(1): 18 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. Setchell and E. Lydeking-Olsen Dietary phytoestrogens and their effect on bone: evidence from in vitro and in vivo, human observational, and dietary intervention studies Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 593S - 609. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Register, M. J. Jayo, and M. S. Anthony Soy Phytoestrogens Do Not Prevent Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2003; 88(9): 4362 - 4370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Spentzos, C. Mantzoros, M. M. Regan, M. E. Morrissey, S. Duggan, S. Flickner-Garvey, H. McCormick, W. DeWolf, S. Balk, and G. J. Bubley Minimal Effect of a Low-Fat/High Soy Diet for Asymptomatic, Hormonally Naive Prostate Cancer Patients Clin. Cancer Res., August 1, 2003; 9(9): 3282 - 3287. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Kurzer Phytoestrogen Supplement Use by Women J. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 133(6): 1983S - 1986. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. C. Blum, S. N. Heaton, B. M. Bowman, M. Hegsted, and S. C. Miller Dietary Soy Protein Maintains Some Indices of Bone Mineral Density and Bone Formation in Aged Ovariectomized Rats J. Nutr., May 1, 2003; 133(5): 1244 - 1249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. F. Adams, K. M. Newton, C. Chen, S. S. Emerson, J. D. Potter, E. White, and J. W. Lampe Soy Isoflavones Do Not Modulate Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor Concentrations in an Older Population in an Intervention Trial J. Nutr., May 1, 2003; 133(5): 1316 - 1319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. H. Arjmandi, D. A. Khalil, B. J. Smith, E. A. Lucas, S. Juma, M. E. Payton, and R. A. Wild Soy Protein Has a Greater Effect on Bone in Postmenopausal Women Not on Hormone Replacement Therapy, as Evidenced by Reducing Bone Resorption and Urinary Calcium Excretion J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2003; 88(3): 1048 - 1054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. B. Anderson, X. Chen, A. Boass, M. Symons, M. Kohlmeier, J. B. Renner, and S. C. Garner Soy Isoflavones: No Effects on Bone Mineral Content and Bone Mineral Density in Healthy, Menstruating Young Adult Women after One Year J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2002; 21(5): 388 - 393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Khalil, E. A. Lucas, S. Juma, B. J. Smith, M. E. Payton, and B. H. Arjmandi Soy Protein Supplementation Increases Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I in Young and Old Men but Does Not Affect Markers of Bone Metabolism J. Nutr., September 1, 2002; 132(9): 2605 - 2608. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. K. Boker, Y. T. Van der Schouw, M. J. J. De Kleijn, P. F. Jacques, D. E. Grobbee, and P. H. M. Peeters Intake of Dietary Phytoestrogens by Dutch Women J. Nutr., June 1, 2002; 132(6): 1319 - 1328. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Messina, C. Gardner, and S. Barnes Gaining Insight into the Health Effects of Soy but a Long Way Still to Go: Commentary on the Fourth International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease J. Nutr., March 1, 2002; 132(3): 547S - 551. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Burdette, J. Liu, D. Lantvit, E. Lim, N. Booth, K. P. L. Bhat, S. Hedayat, R. B. Van Breemen, A. I. Constantinou, J. M. Pezzuto, et al. Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) Exhibits Estrogenic Effects In Vivo in Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley Rats J. Nutr., January 1, 2002; 132(1): 27 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. H. Arjmandi The Role of Phytoestrogens in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Ovarian Hormone Deficiency J. Am. Coll. Nutr., October 1, 2001; 20(90005): 398S - 402. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. Anderson; Soy Phytoestrogens, Lipid Reductions, and Atherosclerosis Delay in Ovariectomized Primates J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2001; 86(1): 39 - 40. [Full Text]