Beneficial effects of a soy-based dietary supplement on lipid levels and cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Consumption of soy protein has recently been shown to improve the blood lipid levels in nondiabetic subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a dietary supplement of soy protein, isoflavones, and cotyledon fiber (Abalon) affects cardiovascular risk markers, blood glucose, and insulin levels in type 2 diabetic subjects.


METHODS
Twenty type 2 diabetic subjects participated in a crossover trial. They were randomized to double-blind supplementation for 6 weeks with Abalon (soy protein [50 g/day] with high levels of isoflavones [minimum 165 mg/day] and cotyledon fiber [20 g/day]) or placebo (casein [50 g/day] and cellulose [20 g/day]), separated by a 3-week wash-out period.


RESULTS
The results are expressed as means +/- SD. The percentage mean treatment difference between Abalon and placebo demonstrated significantly lower mean values after Abalon for LDL cholesterol (10 +/- 15%, P < 0.05), LDL/UHDL ratio (12 +/- 18%, P < 0.05), apolipoprotein (apo) B100 (30 +/- 38%, P < 0.01), triglycerides (22 +/- 10%, P < 0.05), and homocysteine (14 +/- 21%, P < 0.01), whereas the total cholesterol value tended to be less significant but still lower (8 +/- 15%, P < 0.08). No change occurred in HDL cholesterol, apo B100/apo A1 ratio, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, factor VIIc, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, lipoprotein(a), glucose, HbA1c, or 24-h blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with Abalon on cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetic subjects. This improvement is seen even in individuals with near-normal lipid values.
Hermansen
K
K
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. kjeld.hermansen@dadlnet.dk
Søndergaard
M
M
Høie
L
L
Carstensen
M
M
Brock
B
B
D000368:Aged; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012307:Risk Factors; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine