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The effect of two doses of dried plum on bone density and bone biomarkers in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

  • 2016-02-22
  • Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA 27(7)
    • S Hooshmand
    • M Kern
    • D Metti
    • P Shamloufard
    • S C Chai
    • S A Johnson
    • M E Payton
    • B H Arjmandi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
48 osteopenic women (65-79 years old)
Methods
Randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups for 6 months: (1) 50 g of dried plum; (2) 100 g of dried plum; and (3) control. Total body, hip, and lumbar BMD evaluated using DXA; blood biomarkers measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
Blinding
Open-label
Duration
6 months
Funding
Unclear

Unlabelled

Daily consumption of 50 g of dried plum (equivalent to 5-6 dried plums) for 6 months may be as effective as 100 g of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women. To some extent, these results may be attributed to the inhibition of bone resorption with the concurrent maintenance of bone formation.

Introduction

The objective of our current study was to examine the possible dose-dependent effects of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older osteopenic postmenopausal women.

Methods

Forty-eight osteopenic women (65-79 years old) were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups for 6 months: (1) 50 g of dried plum; (2) 100 g of dried plum; and (3) control. Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated at baseline and 6 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood biomarkers including bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP-5b), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sclerostin were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D were measured at baseline and 6 months.

Results

Both doses of dried plum were able to prevent the loss of total body BMD compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). TRAP-5b, a marker of bone resorption, decreased at 3 months and this was sustained at 6 months in both 50 and 100 g dried plum groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04, respectively). Although there were no significant changes in BAP for either of the dried plum groups, the BAP/TRAP-5b ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) greater at 6 months in both dried plum groups whereas there were no changes in the control group.

Conclusions

These results confirm the ability of dried plum to prevent the loss of total body BMD in older osteopenic postmenopausal women and suggest that a lower dose of dried plum (i.e., 50 g) may be as effective as 100 g of dried plum in preventing bone loss in older, osteopenic postmenopausal women. This may be due, in part, to the ability of dried plums to inhibit bone resorption. This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02325895 .

Research Insights

  • Prune→Increased Bone Formation/Resorption Ratio

    the BAP/TRAP-5b ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) greater at 6 months in both dried plum groups whereas there were no changes in the control group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    100 g/day
  • Prune→Preserved Hip Bone Mineral Density

    Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated ... Both doses of dried plum were able to prevent the loss of total body BMD compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). The abstract does not report significant changes for hip or lumbar BMD separately; however these were measured outcomes. Since no significant effect on hip BMD is reported, it is considered neutral.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    100 g/day
  • Prune→Preserved Lumbar Bone Mineral Density

    Total body, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated ... Both doses of dried plum were able to prevent the loss of total body BMD compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). The abstract does not report significant changes for hip or lumbar BMD separately; however these were measured outcomes. Since no significant effect on lumbar BMD is reported, it is considered neutral.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    100 g/day
  • Prune→Preserved Total Body Bone Mineral Density

    Both doses of dried plum were able to prevent the loss of total body BMD compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    100 g/day
  • Prune→Reduced Bone Resorption Marker

    TRAP-5b, a marker of bone resorption, decreased at 3 months and this was sustained at 6 months in both 50 and 100 g dried plum groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04, respectively).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    100 g/day
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