-
1.
The controversy on the beneficial effect of phytoestrogens in diabetic treatment in postmenopausal women.
Romani, AMP
Biochemical pharmacology. 2021;:114619
Abstract
Phytoestrogens have been identified as a natural, plant-based alternative to synthetically derived estrogens, to supplement the absence of endogenous estrogens in post-menopausal women, and attenuate the progression of pathologies and side-effects associated with menopause. The increased availability of these plant's derived compounds as diet or nutritional supplements makes their ingestion and consumption easier and more accessible as compared to pharmacological alternatives. Further, phytoestrogen intake has shown beneficial effects as estrogens alternatives in attenuating severe complications in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, and obesity. However, in many cases phytoestrogen effectiveness remains largely circumstantial or just anecdotal as significant uncertainties on the relative abundance of different phytoestrogens in a given diet, the need for conversion to an active principle through the gut microbiome, the possibility of an effect threshold, the synergistic effect of different phytoestrogens possible due to different modality of actions still persist. The present article aims at highlighting the main issues and concerns plaguing the field as well as some of the possible causes of inconsistencies observed in the various nutritional and clinical studies attempted so far.
-
2.
Visfatin correlates with hot flashes in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: effects of genistein.
Bitto, A, Arcoraci, V, Alibrandi, A, D'Anna, R, Corrado, F, Atteritano, M, Minutoli, L, Altavilla, D, Squadrito, F
Endocrine. 2017;(3):899-906
Abstract
During menopause, an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and central obesity seems to increase hot flashes (HFs). Visfatin is an inflammatory adipokine secreted by visceral fat. We investigated visfatin levels and its relationship with hot flash number and BMI, in postmenopausal women with MetS. We also evaluated the effect of genistein, an isoflavone effective in reducing HFs, on visfatin levels and HFs after 1 year of treatment. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Postmenopausal women with MetS were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 60) or 54 mg genistein (n = 60), daily for 1 year. As main outcome measures, hot flashes number and circulating visfatin levels were evaluated. Visfatin significantly correlated with BMI and HFs number in women with MetS at basal. After 6 and 12 months, our results indicate a strong correlation and a significant effect of genistein in reducing both HFs and visfatin in women with MetS. The present study suggests that visfatin plays a role in the vasomotor symptoms, at least in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Genistein may reduce HFs decreasing the circulating levels of this inflammatory adipokine.
-
3.
[Research progress in phytoestrogens of traditional Chinese medicine].
Zhao, Y, Zheng, HX, Xu, Y, Lin, N
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2017;(18):3474-3487
Abstract
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds, which have a similarity in structure with human endogenous estrogen 17-β-estradiol. Structural likeness enables phytoestrogens to interact with estrogen receptors, not simply mimicking the effects of human steroidal estrogen but also exhibiting similar and divergent actions. The global literature relating to phytoestrogen in recent years was systematically summarized in this paper. Chemical compositions of phytoestrogens were mainly flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, terpenoids, steroids, etc., with a character of prevention and treatment of perimenopausal syndrome, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, cancer, regulation of brain function and other pharmacological effects. The mechanisms of action mainly included classical estrogen receptor pathway, epigenetic effect, activation of 5'-adenosyl-phospho-activated protein kinase, inhibition of kinase, activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, regulation of apoptosis-related proteins, inhibition of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway and so on. According to their efficacy classification, phytoestrogens were mainly distributed in the tonifying medicines, blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicines and heat-clearing medicines. The classical prescriptions with estrogen activity included tonifying formula, Qi-regulating formula and harmonizing formula, etc. This review was aimed at providing a certain reference for the further study of phytoestrogens by researchers and clinicians.
-
4.
Therapeutic perspectives of epigenetically active nutrients.
Remely, M, Lovrecic, L, de la Garza, AL, Migliore, L, Peterlin, B, Milagro, FI, Martinez, AJ, Haslberger, AG
British journal of pharmacology. 2015;(11):2756-68
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Many nutrients are known for a wide range of activities in prevention and alleviation of various diseases. Recently, their potential role in regulating human health through effects on epigenetics has become evident, although specific mechanisms are still unclear. Thus, nutriepigenetics/nutriepigenomics has emerged as a new and promising field in current epigenetics research in the past few years. In particular, polyphenols, as part of the central dynamic interaction between the genome and the environment with specificity at physiological concentrations, are well known to affect mechanisms underlying human health. This review summarizes the effects of dietary compounds on epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of gene expression including expression of enzymes and other molecules responsible for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders and hormonal dysfunction.
-
5.
Genistein and endothelial function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
Irace, C, Marini, H, Bitto, A, Altavilla, D, Polito, F, Adamo, EB, Arcoraci, V, Minutoli, L, Di Benedetto, A, Di Vieste, G, et al
European journal of clinical investigation. 2013;(10):1025-31
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous data have suggested that genistein could exert beneficial effects on endothelial function and on predictors of cardiovascular risk in healthy postmenopausal women. In a randomized clinical trial, we studied the effects of genistein on endothelial function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS Twenty postmenopausal women with MS, according to modified NCEP-ATP III criteria were randomly assigned to receive placebo or genistein (54 mg/day) for 6 months, along with a Mediterranean-style diet. Postmenopausal women without MS (n = 15), served as controls. The primary goal was the assessment of endothelial function by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of brachial artery; moreover, time-to-peak dilation in the FMD response has been evaluated. Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, visfatin, adiponectin and homocysteine blood levels. Data on adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS After 6 months of treatment, FMD at 50s and peak FMD significantly increased in genistein recipients compared with placebo. Moreover, genistein significantly decreased the blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine and visfatin compared with placebo, while blood adiponectin levels were increased. Genistein recipients neither experienced more side-adverse effects than placebo nor discontinued the study. CONCLUSIONS Six months of treatment with genistein effectively improves brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
-
6.
Effects of natural S-equol supplements on overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Japanese, based on sex and equol status.
Usui, T, Tochiya, M, Sasaki, Y, Muranaka, K, Yamakage, H, Himeno, A, Shimatsu, A, Inaguma, A, Ueno, T, Uchiyama, S, et al
Clinical endocrinology. 2013;(3):365-72
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Epidemiologic studies indicate that soy intake has an important role in the prevention of age-related health problems. Daidzein, the principal isoflavone contained in soy, is converted to S-equol by the intestinal bacteria. Not all individuals, however, can produce S-equol, which is considered the most biologically active metabolite. We studied the effects of a natural S-equol supplement on metabolic parameters associated with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. METHODS The study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design with no washout period. All subjects were considered overweight or obese if they had a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2) . Placebo or natural S-equol tablets containing 10 mg S-equol were orally ingested each day for 12 weeks. A total of 54 Japanese overweight or obese outpatients were enrolled. The equol phenotype was determined, and various metabolic parameters, including cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), were measured. RESULTS Equol non-producers comprised 67.9% of the overweight or obese subjects. The ratio of equol non-producers in this overweight or obese subject group was higher than the previously reported ratio of equol non-producers (approximately 50%) in the general population. Compared with the placebo group, intervention with natural S-equol led to a significant decrease in HbA1c, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and CAVI score. Furthermore, the effect was more prominent in the subgroup of female equol non-producers. CONCLUSION The ratio of equol non-producers in overweight or obese populations might be higher than generally reported. Natural S-equol might have a role in glycaemic control and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease by its effects to lower LDL-C levels and CAVI scores in overweight or obese individuals.
-
7.
Is there a role for soy isoflavones in the therapeutic approach to polycystic ovary syndrome? Results from a pilot study.
Romualdi, D, Costantini, B, Campagna, G, Lanzone, A, Guido, M
Fertility and sterility. 2008;(5):1826-33
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of the soy isoflavone genistein on the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we studied a group of obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women presenting this syndrome during 6 months of phytoestrogen administration. DESIGN Pilot prospective study. SETTING Operative division of endocrinological gynecology in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Twelve Caucasian obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Patients received 36 mg/d of genistein for 6 months. Ultrasonographic pelvic exams, hormonal and lipid features, oral glucose tolerance test, and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Basal hormonal assays, lipid profile, and glycoinsulinemic assessment. RESULT(S): Phytoestrogens supplementation significantly improved total cholesterol levels, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and resulting in a significant decrease in the LDL-high-density lipoprotein ratio (LDL-HDL). Triglycerides showed a trend toward decrease, whereas no changes were detected in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Genistein treatment did not significantly affect anthropometric features, the hormonal milieu, and menstrual cyclicity. No significant changes occurred in glycoinsulinemic metabolism. CONCLUSION(S): The possible advantages derived from the therapeutic use of phytoestrogens in PCOS are limited to improvement of the lipidic assessment.