Soy isoflavones--a therapy for menopausal symptoms?

Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
Maike Wolters, Andreas Hahn

Abstract

Chemically, isoflavones belong to the group of polyphenols. The most important food source is soy, which contains mainly genistein and daidzein in the form of glycosides. The absorption rate ranges from 20-55%. Isoflavones are selectively incorporated in certain tissues like the breast and ovaries. They are able to bind to the estrogen receptors alpha (ER-alpha) and beta (ER-beta). However, the binding affinity for genistein to ER-alpha is only 4%, the affinity to ER-beta is 87% compared to 17beta-estradiol. Thus, depending on the estradiol concentration, they exhibit weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. Isoflavones can influence transcription and cell proliferation. They modulate enzyme activities as well as signal transduction, and have antioxidant properties. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of hot flashes is lower in women from countries with high dietary isoflavone intake such as Japan than in Western nations with low isoflavone intake. Results of clinical studies on the effects of soy products or isolated isoflavones on vasomotor symptoms are contradictory. Due to a strong placebo effect and a time-dependent reduction of hot flashes, phytoestrogens were seen to have no significant effect in mo...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 1, 2009·Endocrinology·Stephen M BouéMatthew E Burow
Oct 14, 2008·Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine·Yan-Wei LiChao-Qin Yu
Oct 14, 2008·Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association·Chaoqin YuGuangru Xie
Mar 13, 2015·Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal·Shahnaz Golian TehraniMaryam Ghobadzadeh

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