Radiol Med (Torino). 2000 Apr; 99(4): 250-7.

[Osteoporosis and phytoestrogens: an assessment of bone mineral density via quantitative peripheral computed tomography in milk-egg-vegetarian women in the premenopause]

Di Leo C, Tarolo GL, Bestetti A, Tagliabue L, Del Sole A, Aliberti G, Cestaro B, Pepe L.

Servizio di Medicina Nucleare, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano.

PURPOSE: Noninvasive assessment of bone mineral density, geometrical and biomechanical properties in premenopausal women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens and comparison of these parameters with those of age-matched female subjects with "Mediterranean" dietary intake lacking in these substances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Volumetric cortical, trabecular and total mineral density and bone geometrical properties were evaluated in 15 female subjects with phytoestrogens dietary intake. Peripheral quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) was used to make measurements at the distal radius of the nondominant forearm. Fifteen age-matched subjects with "Mediterranean" dietary intake were chosen as a control group. Cross-sectional area (Total A), trabecular area (TA), cortical area (CA), cortical thickness (CThk) and strength strain index (SSI) were assessed as biomechanical parameters. RESULTS: Daily consumption of phytoestrogens was significatively different in the two groups (phy: 17.45 mg/die vs ctr: 0.35; p < 0.0005), while calcium intake was similar (phy: 652 mg/die vs ctr: 650). Total (0.460 g/cm3 vs ctr: 0.433) and trabecular (phy: 0.209 g/cm3 vs ctr: 0.189) bone mineral densities, such as SSI (phy: 925 mm3 vs ctr: 894) values, were higher in women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens, in comparison with the relative controls, but not significantly (p = ns). Among geometrical parameters, total area and cortical area were tendential in women with a vegetarian diet while cortical thickness was the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: pQCT showed higher bone mineral density (total and trabecular) and SSI values in premenopausal women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens. Despite the lack of statistical significance, these preliminary results, should further support the few literature findings about the potential role of phytoestrogens consumption in preventing trabecular bone loss. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate definitively the efficacy of phytoestrogens in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis.