Supplementation with a branded version of pine bark extract could enhance bone health in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, according to recent clinical trial results—published in the Phytomedicine Journal (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153417).  

In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind 12-weeks trial, 43 postmenopausal women—aged 50-61 years old—with osteopenia consumed daily doses of 150 mg Oligopin or placebo from Aramis Pharmed Company.  

The results revealed increased levels of osteocalcin (OC) and ratio levels of OC to C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX1) in the Oligopin group. Researchers also noted higher levels of plasma total thiol content, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and catalase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following Oligopin intervention. Further, Oligopin supplementation decreased levels of plasma protein carbonyl—an index of protein oxidation.  

Nrf2 regulates cellular defence mechanisms against oxidative stress and antioxidant response element-containing genes, including MnSOD and catalase. Researchers further note “bone remodelling markers OC and CTX-1 are two important markers for evaluating the bone formation and resorption rate, respectively.” They added these results “add important new insight into the beneficial effects of Oligopin supplementation in improving the antioxidant defence system.”