Figure 3

Histomorphological study of bone trabeculae after ovariectomy and treatment with and without an isoflavone-rich diet. In the histomorphological study of sham-operated normal rats, the cancellous bone showed intervening trabecular bone with connectivity of the trabecular elements. In rats fed a normal diet throughout the entire study period [(OVX (+)-ND (3M)], there was significant thinning and disconnection of trabeculae after ovariectomy. Rats treated with an isoflavone-rich diet for one month followed by a normal diet after ovariectomy [(OVX (+)-IRD (1M)]. When the rats were fed an isoflavone-rich diet for three months [OVX (+)-SD (3M)], the trabeculation in the cancellous bone of the proximal femur and tibia was significantly higher than that of normal controls. The lumbar vertebrae showed thickening of trabeculae with restoration of interconnections. F: proximal femur; Sp: thoracic spine; T: proximal tibia. OVX (-)-ND (3M): Group A, sham-operated rats with a normal diet for three months. OVX (+)-ND (3M): Group B, ovariectomized rats with a normal diet for three months. OVX (+)-SD (1M): Group C, ovariectomized rats pretreated with an isoflavone-rich diet for one month followed by a normal diet for two months after ovariectomy. OVX (+)-SD (3M): Group D, ovariectomized rats pretreated with an isoflavone-rich diet for one month followed by an isoflavone-rich diet for an additional two months after ovariectomy.