The Antiosteoporotic Effects of Cheonggukjang Containing Vitamin K₂ (Menaquinone-7) in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

The effect of dietary vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7, MK-7) and cheonggukjang (CGJ) on the prevention of ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss was studied in rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups: sham-operated; OVX control; OVX treated with MK-7 at doses of 2, 4, and 8 μg/day; and OVX treated with CGJ at doses of 0.063, 0.125, and 0.250 g/day referenced to MK-7 levels at 2, 4, and 8 μg/day, respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, the preventive effects of MK-7 and CGJ were evaluated by measuring body weights, serum levels of bone turnover markers, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular microarchitectural properties, and bone histological characteristics. Our results showed that rats treated with a high dose of MK-7 (8 μg/day) exhibited a minor inhibitory effect on OVX-induced bone loss, as indicated by a significant increase in trabecular number, as well as BMC and BMD (P<.01). Moreover, the preventive effects of MK-7 were augmented by administration of CGJ at the same MK-7 dose. In addition, the preventive effects of CGJ were shown to be dose dependent, with the highest dose (0.250 g/day) significantly (P<.01) increasing BMC and BMD by 31.8% and 47.6%, respectively. In summary, these results suggest that administration of CGJ containing abundant levels of MK-7 may be a promising approach for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Dihydrodaidzein and 6‐hydroxydaidzein mediate the fermentation‐induced increase of antiosteoporotic effect of soybeans in ovariectomized mice

“…The recent Yokogoshi cohort study reported that higher natto intake was significantly associated with higher BMD among elderly Japanese people and that its high isoflavone content may contribute to this effect (35). Several studies reported that cheonggukjang ameliorates bone loss and improves BMD (12,36,37). However, no study has compared the protective effects of non-FSs and cheonggukjang on OVX-related bone loss, and sufficient evidence for the mechanisms underlying the effect of fermentation on the anti-osteoporotic effect of soybeans (except for the increased isoflavone content) was unavailable.…”

“…Doenjang is made by cooking soybeans after a long period of fermentation, usually longer than 1 yr. Studies show that doenjang has health benefits, such as antiobesity, antiinflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities (8)(9)(10). In contrast, cheonggukjang is made by fermenting soybeans for 3 d. Cheonggukjang exhibits antioxidant activity and improves hyperglycemia in obese mice (11); it was also reported to ameliorate osteoporosis (12) and increase bone growth (13), indicating its benefits in maintaining bone homeostasis. Recently, we reported the increased bioavailability of cheonggukjang compared with RSs in a nutrikinetic study (14).…”

Bioavailability of Isoflavone Metabolites After Korean Fermented Soybean Paste (Doenjang) Ingestion in Estrogen‐Deficient Rats

“…Fermented soybean products, such as Korean doenjang (DJ) and cheonggukjang (CGJ), Japanese natto , Chinese douche , Thai to‐anao , Indian sujache , and Indonesian tempe , are well known throughout the world. Natto and CGJ have been linked to reduced bone loss in postmenopausal women; this may be attributable to the high content and variety of isoflavones (Ikeda et al., ; Wu, Lee, Lee, Chae, & Ahn, ). During the soybean fermentation process, isoflavone glycosides are mostly converted to aglycones, which have a higher bioavailability than isoflavone glycosides (Lee et al., ).…”

Effects of Rubus coreanus-Cheonggukjang on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Growing Rats

“…In a previous experimental study of rats with ovary removal, groups with constant MK-7 high in CGJ (0.063, 0.125, and 0.250 g/d) for 8 weeks had a significantly increase in minerals, decancellate BMD, and bone mass factions than those with one-day MK-7 administration. The controlling effect of MK-7 high in CGJ was dependent on intake amount, and the group with maximum intake (0.250 g/d) had a significantly increase in bone mineral content (31.8%) and BMD (47.6%) (23). Such results indicate the positive effects of MK-7 high in CGJ on bone, meaning a potential for the prevention or improvement of osteoporosis.…”

“…The effects of various ingredients within CGJ and Rubus coreanus have been previously reported in animal and in vitro studies (23,24). While the mixture of CGJ and Rubus coreanus may exhibit synergistic effects on bone and, thus, help prevent osteoporosis, no experimental studies on this topic have been conducted to date.…”