Pb. Clifton-bligh et al., The effect of isoflavones extracted from red clover (Rimostil) on lipid and bone metabolism, MENOPAUSE, 8(4), 2001, pp. 259-265
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine
Journal title
MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY
Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of varying dos
es of phytoestrogens on lipid and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.
Design: A novel red clover isoflavone preparation (Rimostil) containing gen
istein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin was administered to 46 postme
nopausal women in a double-blind protocol after a single-blind placebo phas
e and followed by a single-blind washout phase. Patients were randomized to
receive either 28.5 mg, 57 mg, or 85.5 mg of phytoestrogens daily for a 6-
month period.
Results: At 6 months, the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had ri
sen significantly by 15.7-28.6% with different doses (p = 0.007, p = 0.002,
p = 0.027), although the magnitude of the response was independent of the
dose used. The serum apolipoprorein B fell significantly by 11.5-7.0% with
different doses (p = 0.005, p = 0.043, p = 0.007) and the magnitude of the
response was independent of the dose used. The bone mineral density of the
proximal radius and ulna rose significantly by 4.1% over 6 months with 57 m
g/day (p = 0.002) and by 3.0% with 85.5 mg/day (p = 0.023) of isoflavones.
The response with 28.5 mg/day of isoflavones was not significant. There was
no significant increase in endometrial thickness with any of the doses of
isoflavone used.
Conclusion: These results show that the administration of an isoflavone com
bination extracted from red clover was associated with a significant increa
se in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a significant fall in apolipopr
otein B, and a significant increase in the predominantly cortical bone of t
he proximal radius and ulna after 6 months of treatment. Interpretation of
the results is undertaken cautiously because of the absence of a simultaneo
usly studied control group.