Respiratory and circulatory system

Background: Prevention of osteoporosis is an important issue to improve QOL and extend healthy life.We had preclinically found antiosteoporosis effects of the fermented product by Lactococcus lactis OLS3445 (Lc), but these effects in humans have been still unclear.Purpose: To investigate the effect of Lc fermented product on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.Methods: The 36 postmenopausal women were divided into three groups: a control group, a low-dose group, and a high-dose group, and each subject were ingested a dextrin-based placebo drink or test drinks mixed with Lc fermented products every day for 12 weeks.Low or high dose test drink were contained about 2 10 10 or 2 10 11 heat-killed Lc.Results: No significant differences by the three interventions in serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and urinary N-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen, which were bone resorption marker, were not observed.Changes in serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), a bone formation marker, was not also significant among three groups.However, in an intra-group comparison, BAP of both Lc fermented product ingested groups were increased after 12 week intervention, although that of control group were not change.Discussion and conclusion: These results suggested that ingestion of Lc fermented product may promote bone formation.Therefore, more long-term intake of Lc fermented product can be expected to improve bone mass and bone density in postmenopausal women.