藏红花提取液对去卵巢大鼠骨密度及骨代谢生化指标的影响

目的：研究中药藏红花提取液对去卵巢大鼠股骨骨密度及血清骨代谢生化指标的影响。方法：选用48只4月龄SD雌性大鼠,随机分为6组：假手术组、模型组、戊酸雌二醇组、藏红花低、中、高剂量组。术后4周各组分别给予相应制剂灌胃,术后12周处死,分别测定股骨骨密度、子宫指数、雌二醇、血钙、血磷、碱性磷酸酶。结果：与模型组相比,藏红花各剂量组股骨骨密度明显升高（p〈0.01）,雌二醇测定值升高（p〈0.01）,碱性磷酸酶显著降低（p〈0.01）,血钙及血磷无统计学差异（p〉0.05）;与戊酸雌二醇组比较,藏红花各剂量组子宫指数显著降低（p〈0.01）。结论：藏红花提取液有助于抑制去卵巢大鼠骨量的丢失,改善骨代谢,对骨质疏松症具有防治作用。     

藏红花提取液对去卵巢大鼠骨密度及骨代谢生化指标的影响

目的:研究中药藏红花提取液对去卵巢大鼠股骨骨密度及血清骨代谢生化指标的影响。方法:选用48只4月龄SD雌性大鼠,随机分为6组:假手术组、模型组、戊酸雌二醇组、藏红花低、中、高剂量组。术后4周各组分别给予相应制剂灌胃,术后12周处死,分别测定股骨骨密度、子宫指数、雌二醇、血钙、血磷、碱性磷酸酶。结果:与模型组相比,藏红花各剂量组股骨骨密度明显升高(p<0.01),雌二醇测定值升高(p<0.01),碱性磷酸酶显著降低(p<0.01),血钙及血磷无统计学差异(p>0.05);与戊酸雌二醇组比较,藏红花各剂量组子宫指数显著降低(p<0.01)。结论:藏红花提取液有助于抑制去卵巢大鼠骨量的丢失,改善骨代谢,对骨质疏松症具有防治作用。     

葛根异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松症的影响

通过对3月龄Wister大鼠,手术切除双侧卵巢后7天,每天灌胃TIP40mg/kg和10mg/kg,并设去卵巢组(OVX)、假手术组(Sham)和尼尔雌醇阳性对照组(OVX-E2),在给药3个月时,测定大鼠股骨骨矿密度(BMD)、骨钙及血清钙水平等,研究葛根异黄酮(TIP)对由雌激素缺乏引起的骨质疏松症的防治作用。结果TIP40mg/kg的BMD比去卵巢组显著提高了18.1%;使胫骨和血清钙含量显著增加;使去卵巢大鼠的脾脏重量系数和胸腺重量系数明显恢复;并可明显控制大鼠的体重。葛根异黄酮可能具有雌激素样活性,并有改善骨质疏松症的生物学活性。     

中等强度跑台运动预防去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松

目的观察中等强度跑台运动对去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松的预防作用。方法将30只3月龄未经产雌性SD大鼠随机分为假手术、去卵巢静止和去卵巢运动三个组。去卵巢运动组每周进行4次时间45min、速度18m/min、坡度5°的跑台训练。实验结束时,检测血清雌二醇（E2）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）和骨钙素（BGP）水平以及右侧游离股骨和胫骨的骨密度（BMD）和骨矿物含量（BMC）;同时观察左侧股骨远端和胫骨近端组织形态学变化。结果与假手术组比较,去卵巢静止组大鼠血清ALP活性和BGP含量显著升高,血清TRAP活性和E2含量显著下降,股骨近段和远端以及胫骨近端BMD和BMC显著下降,股骨远端和胫骨近端骨小梁断裂增加、数目减少;与去卵巢静止组比较,去卵巢运动组大鼠血清E2和BGP含量显著上升,股骨三个部位以及胫骨近端BMD和BMC显著增加,股骨远端和胫骨近端骨小梁断裂减少、数目增加。结论中等强度跑台运动能增加去卵巢大鼠血清E2和BGP含量,改善去卵巢大鼠骨组织学结构。     

葛根素预防雌激素缺乏性骨质疏松的机制探讨

目的观察葛根素对去卵巢大鼠股骨骨密度、颌骨骨密度和血清中肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、C反应蛋白（CRP）及雌二醇（E2）水平的影响。方法 3月龄雌性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（sham group）、单纯去势组（OVX group）、去势＋雌二醇治疗组（OVX-estrogen group）和去势＋葛根素治疗组（OVX-puerarin group）。给药3个月后测量各组大鼠股骨和颌骨骨密度,血清中TNF-α和CRP及雌二醇（E2）水平。结果 OVX-puerarin组较sham组体重明显增加（P〈0.01）;较OVX-estrogen组的TNF-α（P〈0.01）、CRP（P〈0.05）及E2（P〈0.01）水平显著下降;其下颌骨和股骨远端骨密度与OVX组、sham组之间无显著性差异,但其股骨近端骨密度较OVX-estrogen组明显增加（P〈0.05）。结论葛根素作为抗炎因子,能够显著降低TNF-α和CRP的水平,但并不会提高雌激素的水平;葛根素对卵巢切除所致的骨质疏松症有一定的治疗作用,但会明显提高机体体重。     

RhPTH(1-34)和双磷酸盐交替联合应用对去势大鼠骨质疏松模型治疗的实验研究

目的:研究联合应用重组人甲状旁腺素(1-34)和双磷酸盐对双侧卵巢切除(OVX)骨质疏松大鼠模型的治疗作用.方法:选用3月龄健康SD雌性大白鼠40只作为实验动物,随机分为五组:假手术组(S组)、卵巢切除组(o组)、OVX +RhPTH(1-34)组(R组)、OVX+阿仑磷酸钠组(A组)、OVX+联合用药组(RA组).术后12周开始给药,持续给药6周.给药后6周取血行相关生化指标检测,取股骨进行骨密度测定、骨组织形态计量学分析.结果:O组的大鼠股骨骨密度值较假手术组有明显减少,血清磷、骨钙素和血清雌二醇水平减少(P＜0.01),血清碱性磷酸酶水平增加(P＜0.01),使用甲状旁腺素和阿仑膦酸钠治疗后,大鼠股骨骨密度值、血清磷、骨钙素和血清雌二醇水平增加,血清碱性磷酸酶水平相应下降,尤其是两种药物联合应用后效果更为明显(P＜0.01);荧光双标显示,O组骨形成速率较R组及RA组低(P＜0.05),S组、O组、A组骨形成速率无明显差别(P＞0.05).结论:联合应用RhPTH(1-34)和双磷酸盐可以减少去卵巢大鼠骨量的丢失,预防骨质疏松的发生.     

大豆异黄酮对骨质疏松大鼠模型的作用探讨

目的研究大豆异黄酮促进骨质疏松大鼠骨形成的作用及其肠道微生态的变化。方法从60只SPF级SD雌性大鼠中随机挑选50只建立去卵巢骨质疏松大鼠模型,余下10只为假手术组。将建模成功的大鼠随机分为5组,模型组、大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量组(320 mg/kg、160 mg/kg、80 mg/kg的大豆异黄酮)、阿仑膦酸钠组(1 mg/kg阿仑膦酸钠),每日1次,治疗10周。比较治疗前后大鼠骨密度、血清1型前胶原N端前肽(P1NP)、骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)、血清骨钙素(BGP)水平和肠道微生物变化。结果治疗后,模型组大鼠骨密度、血清P1NP、BALP、BGP水平均低于假手术组(P<0.05),阿仑膦酸钠组和大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量组均高于模型组(P<0.05)。治疗后,阿仑膦酸钠组和大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量与模型组比较股骨组织病变减轻;厚壁菌门、梭菌纲、芽孢杆菌纲、毛螺菌科、乳杆菌科、普氏菌科、肠球菌科、毛螺菌属、乳杆菌属、罗氏菌属、布劳特氏菌属、粪球菌属、普氏菌属水平相对丰度模型组均低于假手术组(P<0.05),阿仑膦酸钠组和大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量组均高于模型组(P<0.05)。拟杆菌门、变形菌门、拟杆菌纲、γ变形菌纲、毛菌纲、拟杆菌科、肠杆菌科、拟杆菌属、别样棒菌属、肠杆菌属模型组均高于假手术组(P<0.05),阿林磷酸钠组和大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量组均低于模型组(P<0.05)。LEfSe分析结果显示,与模型组比较,阿仑膦酸钠组和大豆异黄酮高、中、低剂量组治疗后丁酸球菌属、放线菌属、拟杆菌科、拟杆菌属水平降低,消化球菌科、韦荣氏菌科、普氏菌属水平升高。结论大豆异黄酮可提高骨密度,提高血清骨形成指标水平,促进骨质疏松大鼠骨形成,还可改善大鼠肠道菌群。     

左归丸、右归丸对去卵巢骨质疏松模型大鼠的效用

本研究以去卵巢骨质疏松症模型大鼠为研究对象,采用比较分析与去卵巢骨质疏松症相关的多项因子的方法,试图探究左、右归丸的效应机理。将雌性SD大鼠随机分为空白组、假手术组、模型组(OVX组)、己烯雌酚组、左归丸组、右归丸组,每组12只。除空白组、假手术组外,将各组大鼠双侧卵巢切除制备绝经后骨质疏松症大鼠模型。造模一周后,分别给予各组相应的蒸馏水或药物,持续治疗12周。测定各组大鼠腰椎骨密度、血清钙、血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)含量和大鼠胫骨骨髓中OPG、RANKL、Wnt1蛋白的表达量。与空白组、假手术组相比,模型组大鼠OPG、骨密度均显著下降(p0.01),而ALP、RANKL、Wnt1明显升高(p0.01);各给药组较OVX组,OPG、骨密度不同程度提高,ALP、RANKL、Wnt1则有不同程度降低(p0.05)。结果表明,左、右归丸能够抑制骨吸收,降低骨转化率,使骨形成和骨吸收趋于平衡,可有效防治去卵巢骨质疏松症模型大鼠的骨流失并改善骨组织形态,并且右归丸疗效优于左归丸;本研究为中医防治PMOP提供坚实的实验依据,并从分子水平揭示左、右归丸的治疗机理,推动了左、右归丸治疗PMOP作用机制的研究。     

老年男性血清脂联素与骨密度的关系

目的：研究老年男性血清脂联素与骨密度和骨转化指标之间的关系。方法：对165例男性老年患者采用双能量X线吸收测量仪测定骨密度、肌肉及脂肪量,同时测定患者血清脂联素、骨碱性磷酸酶、甲状旁腺素、25羟维生素D和I型胶原β羧基端肽水平。结果：165例年龄超过58岁男性患者（平均年龄69.4±6.4岁,体重指数24.9±3.1 kg/m2）,脂联素与股骨颈骨密度相关系数为-0.31（P〈0.05）、与全髋骨密度相关系数为-0.23（P〈0.05）,年龄、BMI和脂肪量校正后,脂联素仅与股骨颈骨密度有显著相关（r=-0.25,P〈0.05）;脂联素与骨碱性磷酸酶正相关（r=0.28,P〈0.01）,混杂因素校正后,相关仍具有显著性（r=0.19,P〈0.05）;脂联素与I型胶原β羧基端肽呈正相关（r=0.15,P〈0.05）。结论：老年男性血清脂联素与股骨颈骨密度和骨ALP密切相关。     

葛根异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨骼生物力学的影响

目的:观察葛根异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨骼生物力学的影响。方法:选用健康3月龄SD雌性大鼠50只,随机分为5组:假手术组、模型对照组、低、中、高剂量葛根异黄酮组;假手术组切除卵巢旁脂肪组织,其余各组均切除双侧卵巢,建立去卵巢大鼠动物模型。按25、50、100 mg/kg 3个剂量葛根异黄酮分别给去卵巢大鼠灌胃6个月,并于实验结束后处死大鼠,检测腰椎骨骼生物力学功能、骨矿含量和股骨骨钙含量及子宫重量。结果:高剂量葛根异黄酮治疗组6个月后腰椎最大负荷、结构强度和骨矿含量均较模型对照组明显改善,股骨骨钙含量也明显增高;各个葛根异黄酮治疗组子宫重量均较模型对照组明显增加。结论:葛根异黄酮可改善去卵巢大鼠骨骼生物力学功能,具有雌激素样的抗骨质疏松作用。     

Effect of melatonin on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats.

To assess the effect of pharmacological dose of melatonin on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats, urinary deoxypyridinoline (a marker of bone resorption) and calcium excretion, circulating levels of calcium, phosphorus and bone alkaline phosphatase activity (a marker of bone formation), and bone mineral density (BMD), mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) of total body, were measured in adult rats for up to 60 days after surgery. Rats received melatonin in the drinking water (25 microg/ml water) or drinking water alone. Urinary deoxypyridinoline increased significantly after ovariectomy by 51% (30 days after surgery) and by 47% (60 days after surgery). The increase in urinary deoxypyridinoline found 30 days after ovariectomy was not observed in melatonin-treated rats. Urinary calcium concentration was similar in the 4 experimental groups studied, as was the circulating calcium concentration at every time interval examined. Fifteen days after surgery, a significant increase in serum phosphorus and bone alkaline phosphatase levels occurred in ovariectomized rats receiving melatonin as compared to their controls. Sixty days after surgery BMD, BMC and BA decreased significantly in ovariectomized rats, an effect not modified by melatonin. Serum estradiol decreased significantly by 30 days after ovariectomy to attain values close to the limit of detection of the assay by 60 days after ovariectomy. The results support the conclusion that a pharmacological amount of melatonin modifies bone remodeling after ovariectomy and that the effect may need adequate concentrations of estradiol.     

Blueberry prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The objective of the present study was to explore the bone protective role of blueberry in an ovariectomized rat model. Thirty 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or ovariectomized (Ovx) and divided into three groups: Sham, Ovx (control), Ovx+blueberry (5% blueberry w/w). After 100 days of treatment, rats were euthanized, and blood and tissues were collected. Bone mineral density (BMD) and content of whole body, right tibia, right femur and fourth lumbar vertebra were assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. As expected, Ovx resulted in loss of whole-body, tibial, femoral, and 4th lumbar BMD by approximately 6%. Blueberry treatment was able to prevent the loss of whole-body BMD and had an intermediary effect on prevention of tibial and femoral BMD when compared to either Sham or Ovx controls. The bone-protective effects of blueberry may be due to suppression of Ovx-induced increase in bone turnover, as evident by lowered femoral mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase to the Sham levels. Similarly, serum osteocalcein levels were also lower in the blueberry group when compared to the Ovx control group, albeit not significantly. In summary, our findings indicate that blueberry can prevent bone loss as seen by the increases in BMD and favorable changes in biomarkers of bone metabolism.     

Serum equol, bone mineral density and biomechanical bone strength differ among four mouse strains

The extent of conversion of daidzein to its metabolite, equol, by intestinal microflora may be a critical step that determines if a diet rich in daidzein protects against the deterioration of bone after estrogen withdrawal. The objective was to determine the extent that daidzein is converted to equol. In addition, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and strength of femurs and lumbar vertebrae (LV) in four mouse strains were measured. Mice were ovariectomized and fed control diet (AIN93G) with or without daidzein (200 mg daidzein/kg diet) for 3 weeks, after which serum, femurs and LV were collected. Serum daidzein and equol were elevated in all mice fed daidzein. Among mice fed daidzein, the CD-1 and Swiss–Webster (SW) mice had higher (P<.001) serum equol than C57BL/6 (C57) and C3H mice. Differences due to mouse strain were observed for all bone outcomes. C57 mice had lower femur BMC (P<.001), BMD (P<.001) and peak load at femur midpoint (P<.001) and neck (P<.001) than other mouse strains. C57 mice also had a lower femur midpoint yield load (P<.001) and resilience (P<.001) than C3H mice. C57 mice had a lower LV1–4 BMC (P<.001) and BMD (P<.001) compared with all mouse strains and peak load of LV3 was lower than CD-1 and SW mice. Differences in serum equol, BMD and bone strength properties should be considered when selecting a mouse strain for investigating whether dietary strategies that include isoflavones preserve bone tissue after ovariectomy.     

Dietary l-carnitine supplementation improves bone mineral density by suppressing bone turnover in aged ovariectomized rats

Postmenopausal bone loss is a major public health concern. Although drug therapies are available, women are interested in alternative/adjunct therapies to slow down the bone loss associated with ovarian hormone deficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation of l-carnitine can influence bone density and slow the rate of bone turnover in an aging ovariectomized rat model. Eighteen-month-old Fisher-344 female rats were ovariectomized and assigned to two groups: (1) a control group in which rats were fed ad libitum a carnitine-free (−CN) diet (AIN-93M) and (2) another fed the same diet but supplemented with l-carnitine (+CN). At the end of 8 weeks of feeding, animals were sacrificed and bone specimens were collected for measuring bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Femoral microarchitectural properties were assessed by microcomputed tomography. Femoral mRNA levels of selected bone matrix proteins were determined by northern blot analysis. Data showed that tibial BMD was significantly higher in the rat fed the +CN diet than those fed the −CN (control) diet. Dietary carnitine significantly decreased the mRNA level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), an indicator of bone resorption by 72.8%, and decreased the mRNA abundance of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type-1 (COL), measures of bone formation by 63.6% and 61.2%, respectively. The findings suggest that carnitine supplementation slows bone loss and improves bone microstructural properties by decreasing bone turnover.     

Short term effects on bone quality associated with consumption of soy protein isolate and other dietary protein sources in rapidly growing female rats

Beneficial effects of soy protein consumption on bone quality have been reported. The effects of other dietary protein sources such as whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and rice protein isolate (RPI) on bone growth have been less well examined. The current study compared effects of feeding soy protein isolate (SPI), WPH and RPI for 14 d on tibial bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) rapidly growing female rats relative to animals fed casein (CAS). The effects of estrogenic status on responses to SPI were also explored. Tibial peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT) showed all three protein sources had positive effects on either BMD or BMC relative to CAS (P < 0.05), but SPI had greater effects in both intact and OVX female rats. SPI and E2 had positive effects on BMD and BMC in OVX rats (P < 0.05). However, trabecular BMD was lower in a SPI + E2 group compared to a CAS + E2 group. In OVX rats, SPI increased serum bone formation markers, and serum from SPI-fed rats stimulated osteoblastogenesis in ex vivo. SPI also suppressed the bone resorption marker RatLaps (P < 0.05). Both SPI and E2 increased alkaline phosphatase gene expression in bone, but only SPI decreased receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and estrogen receptor gene expression (P < 0.05). These data suggest beneficial bone effects of a soy diet in rapidly growing animals and the potential for early soy consumption to increase peak bone mass.     

Manganese Supplementation Improves Mineral Density of the Spine and Femur and Serum Osteocalcin in Rats

The effect of manganese (Mn) supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism parameters was determined in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into four groups (OVX, OVX+Mn, sham, sham+Mn) and fed with different intake levels of manganese (adequate 0.001% Mn, supplementation 0.01% Mn) for 12 weeks. BMD of the lumbar vertebrae, femur, and tibia were significantly lowered in ovariectomized rats compared to the sham group. In addition, BMD of the lumbar vertebrae was significantly increased by Mn supplementation in the sham groups. Serum C-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen (CTx), bone resorption biomarker, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bone formation biomarkers were not significantly different among the four groups. However, serum osteocalcin, a more sensitive bone formation biomarker, was significantly increased by Mn supplementation. To summarize, Mn supplementation resulted in increased BMD and bone formation. Based on our findings, more research is needed to better understand the effects of manganese supplementation on bone formation and resorption.     

Water exercise prevents femur density loss associated with ovariectomy in the retired breeder rat

The effect of non-weight-bearing exercise on skeletal bone remains controversial. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the effects of water exercise training on femur density and serum alkaline phosphatase activity in ovariectomized and sham-operated (ovaries left intact) retired breeder rats. Exercised animals swam at progressively increasing duration from 5 minutes to 75 min.d(-1), 5 d.wk(-1), for a 6-week conditioning period. Exercised rats had greater (p < 0.02) soleus muscle citrate synthase activity than sedentary rats, confirming an aerobic training effect. Femur density (g.cm(-3)) was greater (p < 0.0007) for exercised rats than sedentary rats but lower (p < 0.01) for ovariectomized rats compared to sham rats. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity tended (p < 0.06) to be greater for exercised rats compared to sedentary rats. These results indicate that dynamic water-flotation exercise prevents the femur bone loss associated with ovariectomy in rats. We conclude that this form of exercise could be beneficial in maintaining bone density in hormone-deficient postmenopausal women, especially the elderly who may not be able to perform weight-bearing activities.     

Combined Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein and Silicon on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rat

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of concomitant supplementation of genistein and silicon on bone mineral density and bone metabolism-related markers in ovariectomized rat. Three-month-old Sprague Dawley female rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) or sham surgery, and then the OVX rats were randomly divided into four groups: OVX-GEN, OVX-Si, OVX-GEN-Si, and OVX. Genistein and silicon supplementation was started immediately after OVX and continued for 10 weeks. In the OVX-GEN group, 5 mg genistein per gram body weight was injected subcutaneously. The OVX-Si group was given soluble silicon daily in demineralized water (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The OVX-GEN-Si group was given subcutaneous injections of 5 mg genistein per gram body weight, at the same time, given soluble silicon daily (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The results showed that the genistein supplementation in the OVX rats significantly prevented the loss of uterus weight; however, the silicon supplementation showed no effect on the uterus weight loss. The lumbar spine and femur bone mineral density was significantly decreased after OVX surgery; however, this decrease was inhibited by the genistein and/or silicon, and the BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was the highest in the OVX-GEN-Si-treated group. Histomorphometric analyses showed that the supplementation of genistein and/or silicon restored bone volume and trabecular thickness of femoral trabecular bone in the OVX group. Besides, the treatment with genistein and silicon for 10 weeks increased the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus in the OVX rats; serum calcium and serum phosphorus in the OVX-GEN-Si group were higher than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si group (P < 0.05). At the same time, the treatment with genistein and/or silicon decreased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin, which were increased by ovariectomy; serum ALP and osteocalcin in the OVX-GEN-Si group were lower than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si groups (P < 0.05). The results above indicate that genistein and silicon have synergistic effects on bone formation in ovariectomized rats.     

Dietary isoflavones act on bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells and stimulate ovary development before influencing bone mass in pre-pubertal piglets

Food containing soybeans provide isoflavone phytoestrogens that can preserve bone mass in postmenopausal women, and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. But their effects on bone remain unclear, particularly on bone formation during growth. Two groups of eight pre-pubertal piglets were fed a basal or an isoflavone-enriched (S800) diet for 6 weeks. The S800 diet contained 800 mg SoyLifetrade mark/kg, providing 2.8 mg isoflavones/kg body weight/day. Several bones were collected and tested for bone strength and density. Bone marrow was collected from humeri together with blood samples and genital tracts. The plasma concentrations of isoflavones were increased in the pigs fed S800, but growth rate, body weight, plasma bone markers, bone mineral density, and strength were all unaffected. In contrast, cultured stromal cells from S800 pigs had more alkaline phosphatase-rich cells and mineralized nodules, secreted more osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and RANK-L, synthesized more osteoprotegerin, and RANK-L. Cultured mononucleated nonadherent bone marrow cells from S800 pigs developed fewer tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase mononucleated cells (osteoclast progenitors) when cultured with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and resorbed a smaller area of dentine slices. Freshly isolated bone marrow osteoclast progenitors from S800 pigs had more caspase-3 cleavage activity, and synthesized less RANK. Both osteoclast and osteoblast progenitors had ERalpha and ERbeta, whose syntheses were stimulated by the S800 diet. The S800 piglets had heavier ovaries with more follicles, but their uterus weight was unaffected. We conclude that dietary isoflavones have no detectable effect on the bone mass of growing female piglets, but act on bone marrow osteoprogenitors via ERs--mainly ERbeta, and stimulate ovary development.