(P17-31-26) Effect of Fermented Soy on Bone Turnover Markers in Older Adults: Outcomes of a Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Objectives: Age-related bone loss is associated with increased bone turnover in older adults, particularly in postmenopausal women. This study investigated the effects of daily consumption of fermented soy rich in bioactive compounds including isoflavones on bone turnover markers in older adults.

Methods: This was an ancillary analysis within the triple-blind, randomized, parallel design, placebo-controlled trial that examined the effects of daily intake of Q-Can Plus®, a fermented soy product, on immune function and cognition in healthy men and postmenopausal women. Participants supplemented their habitual diet with either fermented soy powder (9.4 g protein, 36.3 mg isoflavones) or a whey-based placebo powder (8.5 g protein, 0 mg isoflavones). Serum bone turnover markers, osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) for a subset of 40 participants were measured at baseline and 12 weeks using commercially available ELISA kits and all samples were analyzed withing the same assay run. Between-group mean changes in OC, BALP, and CTX from baseline to 12 weeks were analyzed using analysis of covariance.

Results: Bone marker data from 40 participants (mean [SD] age, 74.1 [5.6]; 29 women [72.5%]) was included in this ancillary analysis. There were no significant between-group changes from baseline to 12 weeks in OC, BALP, and CTX in the overall cohort. In post hoc exploratory subgroup analysis restricted to women ≥70 years (n=21, age 74.7 [4.0]) a significant reduction (p = 0.017) in CTX was observed in the fermented soy group compared with the placebo, adjusted for baseline. Between-group estimated marginal mean change in CTX was -217.71 pg/mL (95% CI: -356.24, -79.18) in the fermented soy group compared to 32.95 pg/mL (95% CI: -112.35, 178.25) for the placebo. There were no significant differences observed for OC and BALP among women ≥70.

Conclusions: Daily intake of fermented soy for 12 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in bone resorption marker, CTX in women ≥70. These results suggest a possible age- and sex-specific response to fermented soy intake and warrant further investigation to determine whether reductions in bone resorption translate to bone density benefits in women ≥70 years.

Funding Sources: Beso Biological Research, Inc., Diamond Bar, CA