Bone
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Soy protein is reported to prevent bone loss in both women and rat models of osteoporosis. However, the role of soy isoflavones on the trabecular microarchitectural properties needs to be explored. In the present study, we examined whether soy protein with graded doses of isoflavones reverses loss of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and trabecular microstructure in an ovariectomized (Ovx) osteopenic rat model. ⋯ However, Soy treatment significantly increased tibial BMC and BMD by 10% and 4.5% compared with Ovx control, but the increase in BMD was not enough to reach the BMD levels of the Sham control group. The Soy+ diet positively affected the tibial architectural properties including trabecular thickness, separation, and number. In summary, our findings suggest that soy protein does not restore bone loss in osteopenic rats; however, higher doses of isoflavones may be required to reverse the loss of tibial microstructural properties.