The soy isoflavone genistein inhibits the reduction in Achilles tendon collagen content induced by ovariectomy in rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of genistein and moderate intensity exercise on Achilles tendon collagen and cross-linking in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female SpragueDawley rats. Rats were separated into eight groups (n?=?9/group): intact or OVX, treadmill exercised or sedentary, genistein-treated (300?mg/kg/day) or vehicle. After 6 weeks, tendons were assayed for the collagen-specific amino acid hydroxyproline and hydroxylyslpyridinoline (HP). Collagen content was not influenced by exercise (P?=?0.40) but was lower (P?