Selective effects of genistein, a soybean isoflavone, on B-lymphopoiesis and bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency

Genistein, an isoflavone abundantly present in soybeans, has structural similarity to estrogen, suggesting that genistein may act as a phytoestrogen. To examine the possible role of genistein in hemopoiesis and bone metabolism, female mice were either sham-operated or ovariectomized (OVX), and selected OVX mice were administered genistein for 2-4 weeks (0.1-0.7 mg/day) or 17 beta-estradiol (E-2; 0.01-0.1 mu g/day) sc, using a miniosmotic pump (Alza Corp., Pale Alto, CA). In OVX mice, uterine weight declined but was completely restored by E-2 administration. In contrast, genistein did not demonstrate a reversal of the OVX-induced uterine atrophy. The number of bone marrow cells markedly increased, 2-4 weeks after OVX, and most of these were B220-weakly positive pre-B cells. The increased B-lymphopoiesis was completely restored, not only by E-2 but also by genistein administration. In OVX mice, the trabecular bone volume of the femoral distal metaphysis, measured by microcomputed tomography scanning and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, was markedly reduced; and genistein restored this, as did E-2. These results indicate that genistein exhibits estrogenic action in bone and bone marrow, to regulate B-lymphopoiesis and prevent bone loss, without exhibiting estrogenic action in the uterus. Phytoestrogens may be useful for preventing bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in females.