Long-Term Administration of Equol and Resveratrol Improves Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: Estrogen deficiency is a major cause of postmenopausal bone loss. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of two phytoestrogens, equol and resveratrol, on bone turnover biomarkers (BTMs) in recently menopausal women aged 50–55 years. METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg of fermented soy containing 20 mg of equol and 25 mg of resveratrol (1 tablet/day), or placebo for 12 months. BTMs, such as osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms. At the end of treatment, OC (30.05 ± 7.15 vs 23.24 ± 5.4), BAP (48 ± 6.59 vs 45.45 ± 2.67), and DPD (12.08 ± 3.96 vs 14.07 ± 3.01) significantly improved in the active group, compared with baseline. We also found significant changes in the serum concentration of OC, BAP, and DPD (P < 0.001) compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that a combination of equol and resveratrol may positively modulate some BTMs and represent a potential approach to improve age-related bone loss in postmenopausal women. FUNDING SOURCES: The present study was funded, in part, by a grant from Paolo Sorbini Foundation, Milano, Italy.