ARS | Publication request: Pinto Bean Hull Extract Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Bone Metabolism and Bone Structure in Mice

Submitted to: Food Research International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 23, 2009
Publication Date: March 1, 2010
Repository URL: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/foodres
Citation: Cao, J.J., Gregoire, B.R., Sheng, X., Liuzzi, J.P. 2010. Pinto Bean Hull Extract Supplementation Favorably Affects Markers of Bone Metabolism and Bone Structure in Mice. Food Research International. 43(2):560-566.

Interpretive Summary: Nutritionists have traditionally centered on the roles of calcium and vitamin D in increasing calcium absorption and deposition to prevent bone loss leading to osteoporosis. Bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, in beans and other foods possess antioxidant activity that may have beneficial effects on bone health. Using a mouse model, we investigated the effects of bean hull extract from pinto beans on bone structure and serum markers related to bone metabolism. Twelve-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control, or bean hull extract supplemented at 400 or 800 mg/kg diet for 3 months. The 800 mg bean hull extract/kg diet supplied an amount of phenolic compounds that would be provided by a diet containing 20% pinto beans, which may be practical for humans. Bean hull extract supplementation at 800 mg/kg diet decreased serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and parathyroid hormone concentrations and marginally improved bone structural indices such as bone mineral density and trabecular thickness in the third lumbar vertebra in mice. These results suggest that bean hull extract supplementation may be useful in preventing osteoporosis, a major public threat affecting an estimated 200 million people worldwide.

Technical Abstract: Bean hulls are rich in phenolic compounds known to possess antioxidant activity that may have beneficial effect on bone health. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of bean hull extract (BHE) from pinto beans on bone structure and serum markers in twelve-month-old male C57BL/6 mice fed either a control, or BHE supplemented at 400 or 800 mg/kg diet for 3 months. Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and parathyroid hormone concentrations were lower in mice fed the 800 mg BHE/kg than in mice fed the control diet. BHE supplementation decreased blood oxidized glutathione concentration (P = 0.02). Compared to the control group, BHE supplementation marginally improved bone structural indices such as bone mineral density and trabecular thickness in the third lumbar vertebra. These results suggest that BHE supplementation may slow age-related bone loss by decreasing bone resorption.