Genistein treatment increases bone mass in obese, hyperglycemic mice

Abstract

Background

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with elevated risk of limb bone fracture. Incidences of these conditions are on the rise worldwide. Genistein, a phytoestrogen, has been shown by several studies to demonstrate bone-protective properties and may improve bone health in obese type 2 diabetics.

Methods

In this study, we test the effects of genistein treatment on limb bone and growth plate cartilage histomorphometry in obese, hyperglycemic ob/ob mice. Six-week-old ob/ob mice were divided into control and genistein-treated groups. Genistein-treated mice were fed a diet containing 600 mg genistein/kg for a period of 4 weeks. Cross-sectional geometric and histomorphometric analyses were conducted on tibias.

Results

Genistein-treated mice remained obese and hyperglycemic. However, histomorphometric comparisons show that genistein-treated mice have greater tibial midshaft diameters and ratios of cortical bone to total tissue area than the controls. Genistein-treated mice also exhibit decreased growth plate thickness of the proximal tibia.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that genistein treatment affects bone of the tibial midshaft in the ob/ob mouse, independent of improvements in the hyperglycemic state and body weight.

Keywords:

• obesity
• hyperglycemia
• genistein
• ob/ob mice
• bone

Acknowledgments

We thank Ms Monica Castro, Ms Kelly Ezell, and Ms Lana Leung for their help. We also wish to thank Midwestern University, Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, and Soy Health Research Program, which helped fund this research.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.