Fermented soybean powder containing S-equol alleviates the postmenopausal signs of ovariectomized rats

• Published in: Food science and biotechnology Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 1495 - 1505
• Main Authors: Choi, Byung Hee, Choi, Kwanyong, Park, Soo-Yeon, Kim, Ji Yeon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Springer Nature B.V 01.04.2025; 한국식품과학회
• Subjects: Animal models; Biomarkers; Biotechnology; blood serum; Body weight; bone formation; Bone growth; Bone turnover; Calcitonin; Calcitonin gene-related peptide; Daidzein; Down-regulation; endometrium; Estrogen receptors; Estrogens; fermentation; Food science; Hormone replacement therapy; Hypothalamus; Lipid metabolism; Lipids; liver; Menopause; Metabolites; Osteoporosis; Osteoprotegerin; Ovariectomy; Post-menopause; postmenopause; rats; Receptors; Soybeans; tibia; 식품과학; Estrogen receptor; Osteoporosis; Hot flash; Menopause; S-equol
• ISSN: 1226-7708; 2092-6456; 2092-6456
• DOI: 10.1007/s10068-024-01768-w

Menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, metabolic changes, and osteoporosis, significantly impact postmenopausal women. Given concerns about hormone replacement therapy, S-equol, a metabolite of the soybean isoflavone daidzein, has emerged as a potential alternative. This study explored the efficacy of S-equol-containing-supplement (SE5-OH), a fermented soy germ containing S-equol, on menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in 6-month-old and 8-week-old ovariectomized (OVX) rat models. SE5-OH did not affect uterine weight or endometrial thickness but significantly reduced body weight in 8-week-old OVX rats (p < 0.01). SE5-OH also decreased estrogen receptor upregulation in the liver and hypothalamus. In the hypothalamus, SE5-OH downregulated calcitonin gene-related peptide levels, which are linked to hot flashes and osteoporosis (p < 0.05). Additionally, SE5-OH stabilized the bone-formation marker RANKL/OPG, tended to increase estrogen receptor levels in tibial bone tissue and increased serum bone-turnover biomarkers. In conclusion, SE5-OH may alleviate postmenopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, lipid metabolism changes, and osteoporosis. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-024-01768-w.