Guangdong, CHINA—A soy extract (Novasoy®) containing a similar level of genistein is more effective than purified genistein in improving tibial trabecular bone quality in ovariectomized (OVX) mice (J Nutr. 2009;130(12):2230-36).The sham-operated mice were fed a control diet and OVX mice were fed diets containing genistein or Novasoy or the control diet, with or without 17beta-estradiol treatment, for five weeks. Consumption of diets containing genistein or Novasoy partially prevented the ovariectomy-induced increase in body weight but did not alter the uterus weight of the OVX mice. Novasoy, but not purified genistein, significantly preserved trabecular bone mass, bone volume and trabecular bone separation in the proximal tibial metaphysis. Purified genistein decreased mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL), carbonic anhydrase II and cathepsin K and enhanced the ratio of osteoprotegrin:RANKL mRNA expression in the tibial head of the OVX mice. In contrast, the diet containing Novasoy suppressed the OVX-induced increase in serum alkaline phosphatase but did not alter bone-specific gene expression of tibia.
