The Effect of Maltobionic Acid on Bone Metabolism Markers in Healthy Japanese Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Crossover Study

Osteoporosis is characterized by compromised bone strengthpredisposing to an increased risk of fracture and is a disease with a high incidence in postmenopausal women. Frequent estrogen deficiency, particularly in postmenopausal women, induces osteoclast activation and is a major contributor to reduced bone mineral density. Maltobionic acid (MB) reportedly promotes mineral resorption and maintains bone mineral density in human clinical trials, although no studies have confirmed that MB improves bone metabolism in humans. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of MB administration on bone-resorption markers in healthy Japanese postmenopausal women. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Twenty-six healthy adult Japanese women who realized that they had passed through more than 1 year of natural menopause and were aged 40-69 years were categorized into three groups. The experimental groups were allowed to consume maltobionic acid syrup 4 g (MB syrup 4 g group), maltobionic acid syrup 2 g plus maltose syrup 2 g (MB syrup 2 g group), and maltose syrup 4 g (placebo group) for 4 weeks. All 26 participants completed the intervention. Continuous ingestion of MB syrup 2 g or 4 g for 4 weeks significantly reduced the levels of bone-resorption markers deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and urinary N-telopeptide (u-NTx), and significantly increased the bone formation marker osteocalcin (OC) compared with the placebo group. Maltobionic acid (MB) intake may improve bone metabolism and reduce bone health problems, including osteoporosis, in postmenopausal, adult Japanese women. (UMIN-CTR ID: UMIN000038627).