[Effect of isoflavones on mammary gland and endometrium of postmenopausal macaques (Macaca fascicularis)].
OBJECTIVE
Because of their beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and cancer risk, isoflavones may be useful as a dietary alternative or supplement to postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. Isoflavones belong to the most important phytoestrogens. They may have estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. We examined this in a well-characterised primate model of the postmenopause.


METHODS
Adult, surgically postmenopausal female macaques were treated with isoflavones, estradiol or placebo for 6 months. After 6 months of therapy histopathological, morphometrical, and immunohistochemical measurements of endometrium and mammary glands were performed.


RESULTS
6 months of isoflavone-therapy did not induce proliferation or any other clinical important changes in endometrium and mammary tissue. Phytoestrogentherapy did not show estradiol comparable effects. We are discussing our results with the results of other studies, which are sometimes in contrast.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that isoflavones do not have estrogenic effects in the tissues studied.
Foth
D
D
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkundc und Geburtshilfe, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität Greifswald. dfoth@t-online.de
Cline
J M
JM
Römer
T
T
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D017698:Postmenopause; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D004958:Estradiol