Postmenopausal bone loss is a primary contributor to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in adult women in menopause transition. By following women over this period, studies have documented distinct patterns of a decrease in estrogen, a natural antioxidant, simultaneously with adverse alterations in body fat distribution, lipids and lipoproteins, and measures of vascular health, which can increase a woman's risk of developing CVD. Overall goal of this project is to evaluate the effects of blackcurrant (BC) supplementation on changes in gut microbiome, bone mass, and CVD risk factors in adult women. For this purpose, the investigators will conduct a pilot randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial with BC supplementation for 6 months in peri- and early postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years.~The primary endpoint will be whole-body bone mineral density (BMD); secondary endpoints will be gut microbiota composition. To delineate the underlying mechanisms of the action, changes in biomarkers for bone metabolism, bone-related immune and endocrine systemic biomarkers, and CVD risk factors by BC supplementation will be measured in plasma and peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells.~The specific objectives of the study are to investigate the effects of BC extract on: 1) bone mass and bone remodeling markers; 2) changes in the gut microbiota abundance and composition, immune and endocrine biomarkers, and CVD risk factors and their relationships with changes in bone mass.~The proposed study will provide novel insight into whether and how BC consumption reduces the risk of postmenopausal bone loss and CVD in adult women and will improve understanding of the clinical roles of gut microbiome in postmenopausal bone loss. Findings from this study will help increase awareness of the bone and heart health promoting effect of BC and motivate increased production of BC and other berry products in response to the increasing consumer demand.
Aim to evaluate the effects of blackcurrant supplementation on changes in gut microbiome, bone mass, and CVD risk factors in adult women.