Objective: This study investigated whether a combined regimen of ipriflavone and 1 alpha vitamin D is effective in stopping postmenopausal bone loss.
Methods: Ninety-eight postmenopausal women were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four groups: group 1, ipriflavone alone; group 2, 1 alpha vitamin D alone; group 3, combined regimen of ipriflavone and 1 alpha vitamin D; group 4, no treatment. Vertebral bone mineral density, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, serum alkaline phosphatase, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, urinary calcium and hydroxyproline were measured before and at the 6th, 12th and 18th month of the study. All comparisons were made using Student's t-test of means.
Result: There was a significant reduction in vertebral bone loss in the patients receiving the combined therapy (mean loss after 18 months 0.33% in the combination group vs. 2.37%, 1.15% and 3.70% in the ipriflavone alone, 1 alpha vitamin D alone, and control groups, respectively; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combined regimen could prevent postmenopausal bone loss.