Animal studies on soy isoflavones and bone maintenance

Authors Soy protein/isoflavone treatments Effect on bone measurements 

Arjmandi et al., 1996 95 d old OVX rats 30 d soy protein with isoflavones (8 mg/d) starting at OVX Prevention of bone loss soy protein/isoflavones prevented the BMD losses in the femur and d lumbar vertebra after OVX 

Arjmandi et al., 1998a,b 95 d old OVX rats 35 d casein diet after OVX, then 65 d soy protein with isoflavones (9 mg/d) No significant effect of soy protein in reversal of bone loss, assessed by BMD. Soy induced femoral lGF-1 mRNA and some increases in bone turnover markers 

Harrison et al., 1998 10 week old OVX rats low calcium diet treatment starts 2 weeks after OVX Soy protein with isoflavones (6 mg/d) for 4 weeks Reduced bone loss (higher bone weight, higher calcium content) but no decrease of markers of bone turnover for the soy group 

Anderson et al., 1998 OVX, lactating rats low calcium diet genistein-rich protein source 3 doses isoflavones (0.5, 1.6, 5.0 mg/d) for 2 weeks A biphasic response to genistein was observed for bone weight (femur ash) low dose more protective than high dose 

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