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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Sep 10;16(9):e0257332.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257332. eCollection 2021.

Effects of an equol-containing supplement on advanced glycation end products, visceral fat and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Remi Yoshikata  1   2 , Khin Zay Yar Myint  2 , Hiroaki Ohta  3 , Yoko Ishigaki  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of an equol-containing supplement on advanced glycation end products, visceral fat and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Remi Yoshikata et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: Equol, an isoflavone derivative whose chemical structure is similar to estrogen, is considered a potentially effective agent for relieving climacteric symptoms, for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, and for aging care in postmenopausal women. We investigated the effect of an equol-containing supplement on metabolism and aging and climacteric symptoms with respect to internally produced equol in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A single-center, randomized controlled trial (registration number: UMIN000030975) on 57 postmenopausal Japanese women (mean age: 56±5.37 years) was conducted. Twenty-seven women received the equol supplement, while the remaining received control. Metabolic and aging-related biomarkers were compared before and after the 3-month intervention. Climacteric symptoms were assessed every month using a validated self-administered questionnaire in Japanese postmenopausal women.

Results: Three months post-intervention, the treatment group showed significant improvement in climacteric symptoms compared to the control group (81% vs. 53%, respectively, p = 0.045). We did not observe any beneficial effect on metabolic and aging-related biomarkers in the intervention group. However, in certain populations, significant improvement in skin autofluorescence, which is a measurement of AGE skin products, and visceral fat area was observed, especially among equol producers.

Conclusion: Women receiving equol supplementation showed improved climacteric symptoms. This study offered a new hypothesis that there may be a synergy between supplemented equol and endogenously produced equol to improve skin aging and visceral fat in certain populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Advanced Medical Care Co. Ltd. provides administrative support to Tokyo Midtown Medical Center. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. CONSORT flow diagram.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic equol exposure after 3 months.
A synergy between supplemented equol and endogenously produced equol on skin autofluorescence and visceral fat areas.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Effect of equol on climacteric symptom scores.
Equol supplementation could be beneficial to both equol producers and nonproducers for relieving climacteric symptoms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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