Anabolic effect of genistein on bone metabolism in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of elderly rats is inhibited by the anti-estrogen tamoxifen.

Whether the anabolic effect of genistein on bone metabolism in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of elderly rats is inhibited by the anti-estrogen tamoxifen was investigated in vitro. Bone tissues were cultured for 24 h in the medium containing either vehicle or genistein. The presence of genistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) caused a significant increase in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA content in the bone tissues. The effect of genistein (10(-5) M) in increasing bone alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA content was equal to the stimulatory effect of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-10) and 10(-9) M) on the bone components. The genistein effect was not significantly enhanced by the presence of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-10) and 10(-9) M). The anti-estrogen tamoxifen (10(-7) M) completely blocked the effect of 17 beta-estrogen in increasing bone alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA content. The genistein (10(-5) M)-induced increases in bone alkaline phosphatase activity and DNA content were completely abolished by the presence of tamoxifen (10(-7) and 10(-6) M), although tamoxifen itself had no effect on the bone components. The present study demonstrated that the anabolic effect of genistein on bone components is inhibited by anti-estrogen tamoxifen. The effect of genistein may be mediated through estrogen-like action.