Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of phytoestrogen contained in soybean meal on biomechanical characteristics of bone in senile rats. Methods: Totally 120 senile male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were fed common diet (as the control), common diet plus calcium, common diet plus phytoestrogens, and common diet plus calcium and phytoestrogen, respectively. The rats in every group were partially sacrificed after 3, 6 or 10 months of feeding. The biomechanical characteristics of the femur in senile rats were analyzed. Results: The administration of phtoestrogen, could enhance biomechanical characteristics and improve bone quality in rats regardless of length of administration time (3, 6 or10 months), which was superior to the administration of calcium alone. The administration of calcium alone for 3 or even 6 months had no obvious beneficial effects on biomechanical characteristics and bone quality in rats; an improvement in some but not all of biomechanical characteristics in rats, howevers observed when the length of administration time was prolonged to 10 months. In the presence of phytoestrogen, increasing calcium amount resulted in a better improvement in biomechanical characteristics. Conclusion: The intake of calcium alone has a limited effect in preventing osteoporosis and in improving bone quality. Comparatively, the frequent consumption of soybean or soybean products has positive significance for preventing osteoporosis and improve bone quality.

Key words: phytoestrogen, biomechanical characteristics, experimental investigation