Impact of a dietary intervention with French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on bone turnover markers in women with osteoporotic bone loss: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study-Part I.

What was studied

This trial tested Pycnogenol, a French pine bark extract, in women with bone loss. In a double-blind phase, 67 women were split into groups. Of them, 33 took Pycnogenol and 34 took placebo. Each dose was 100 mg. This phase lasted 3 months. A 3-month extension followed, with all women on Pycnogenol. The main outcomes were blood markers of bone breakdown (CTX-1) and bone building (P1NP).

What they found

Within the Pycnogenol group, CTX-1 fell from baseline at 3 and 6 months. For CTX-1, the groups did not differ at any visit. P1NP did not change significantly. A second breakdown marker, NTX-1, fell from baseline by the end of the extension. Saliva levels of M1, a microbial metabolite, were higher with Pycnogenol than placebo. This was after 3 months (p = 0.0289). Higher M1 went with lower CTX-1. In lab dishes, Pycnogenol parts helped human mesenchymal stromal cells develop toward bone cells.

What it means for patients

The authors say Pycnogenol was linked to lower bone breakdown markers within the treated group. They say metabolite levels in saliva rose. They say the findings suggest a potential protective effect on bone turnover.

Why it is not certain yet

CTX-1 did not differ between groups at any visit. The falls were seen only within the Pycnogenol group. In the extension, all women took Pycnogenol, so it had no placebo group. The abstract reports only blood, saliva and lab markers.

Source

Impact of a dietary intervention with French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) on bone turnover markers in women with osteoporotic bone loss: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study-Part I.

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