Dietary soy phytoestrogens produce anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze.
Naturally occurring estrogen-like molecules in plants (phytoestrogens), present via soy, in animal diets, exert many of the biological responses evoked by physiological estrogens. This study characterized the effects of dietary phytoestrogens on the expression of body weight, consummatory behavior, and anxiety (as expressed in the elevated plus-maze). Phytoestrogens produced anxiolytic effects in both male and female Long-Evans rats. Additionally, phytoestrogens decreased body weight but increased consumption of food and/or water.
Lund
T D
TD
Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. tlund@colostate.edu
Lephart
E D
ED
D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D007529:Isoflavones; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*
D000728:Androgens; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations