Juwon Ahn1, Seungha Baek1, Kijeong Kim2, Hyowon Bang3, Jaehong Ko3, Jung-Ha Kim1

1Department of Family Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 2Department of Microbiology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 3Department of Physiology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea


Background: Equol, a metabolite of diadzein, is produced by some intestinal bacteria. Equol acts as an estrogen receptor agonist and has been reported to have several beneficial health effects. Leukocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases. Decreased leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, as an index of mitochondrial function, is associated with metabolic syndrome, bone mineral density, and aging. The possible association between equol production and leukocyte mitochondrial function has not been studied to date. Therefore, we investigated whether equol production is associated with leukocyte mtDNA copy number in postmenopausal women.
Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 71 postmenopausal women. They completed a lifestyle questionnaire and medical history. In addition, a dietary assessment using a 24-hour recall method and food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric evaluation, and blood sampling were conducted. Serum equol concentration was measured in the fasting state. Leukocyte mtDNA copy number was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Among older females, 33.8% were equol producers. The leukocyte mtDNA copy number was lower in non-equol producers versus equol producers. Furthermore, the leukocyte mtDNA copy number was positively associated with the serum equol concentration (r=0.42, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that equol production (β=47.864, P<0.01) was an independent factor associated with mtDNA copy number.
Conclusions: Equol production was associated with elevated mtDNA content in the peripheral blood of postmenopausal women. This finding suggests that the beneficial health effects of equol in postmenopausal women may be related to increased mitochondrial function.
Korean J Health Promot 2015;15(3):108-114

Keywords: Equol, Leukocytes, DNA, Mitochondria, Postmenopause