For this purpose, eight-week experiments (
drug therapy and
exercise therapy) were carried out by using rats whose menopause was induced by the removal of an ovary. In the treatment of the
drug therapy, the effects of
soy protein, one of the well-known
alendronate and
estrogen replacement therapy, were compared and analyzed. In the treatment of the
exercise therapy, endurance exercise using a treadmill and resistance exercise through climbing a special cage were compared and analyzed. Based on these results, this study will be able to suggest the most appropriate way to deal with
osteoporosis which requires long-term treatment. Sixty eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats had a week to adapt to the new environment. After that, they were randomly divided into four groups (
Sham-Sedentary; SS, ovariectomized-control; OC, ovariectomized-
soy protein; OS: ovariectomized-
alendronate; OA, ovariectomized-endurance exercise; OE, ovariectomized-resistance exercise; OR) before having an operation for the removal of an ovary. After surgery, the rats convalesced for a week.
Alendronate (0.4mg / kg of
body weight) and
isoflavones (200g / 1 kg of feed) were given to two groups respectively for eight weeks. The rats in the other two groups performed resistance exercise (climbing) and endurance exercise (20 m/min; 60min/day) five days a week for eight weeks.
RESULTS:
Ovariectomy increased the
body weight and body fat like menopause did.
Soy protein and
alendronate intake for eight weeks had no effect on
body weight but reduced the body fat increased by
ovariectomy to the level of the SS group. The menopause induced by
ovariectomy did not affect total bone density and bone mass as well as bone density in specific areas of the body.
Soy protein and
alendronate intake for eight weeks did not significantly affect them either. However, the eight-week treatment with
soy protein and
alendronate significantly reduced the level of
osteocalcin in blood. Resistance exercise more noticeably increased
body weight and bone mass than running on the low-intensity treadmill but serum
osteocalcin levels were notably increased in both cases.
CONCLUSION: