Benefits of soy isoflavone therapeutic regimen on menopausal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the change in menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in response to 4 months of daily 100-mg soy isoflavone in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 80 women were randomly assigned to isoflavone (n = 40) and placebo (n = 40) treatment. The menopausal Kupperman index was used to assess change in menopausal symptoms at baseline and after 4 months of treatment. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by evaluating plasma lipid levels, body mass index, blood pressure, and glucose levels in the participants. To examine the effects of this regime on endogenous hormone levels, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and 17 beta-estradiol were measured. Transvaginal sonography was performed to quantify endometrial thickness.


RESULTS
The data showed a decrease in menopausal symptoms (P <.01, paired t test, two-tailed, between baseline and isoflavone groups, and P <.01, unpaired t test, between placebo and isoflavone groups). Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein decreased significantly in the isoflavone group compared with the baseline or placebo group (P <.001, paired t test, two-tailed, between baseline and isoflavone groups, and P <.01, unpaired t test, between placebo and isoflavone groups). The isoflavone treatment appeared to have no effect on blood pressure, plasma glucose, and high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that isoflavone 100-mg regime treatment may be a safe and effective alternative therapy for menopausal symptoms and may offer a benefit to the cardiovascular system.
Han
Kyung K
KK
Department of Gynecology, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Soares
Jose M
JM
Haidar
Mauro A
MA
de Lima
Geraldo Rodrigues
GR
Baracat
Edmund C
EC
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007529:Isoflavones; D008055:Lipids; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone