Effect of soy-derived isoflavones on hot flushes, endometrial thickness, and the pulsatility index of the uterine and cerebral arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of soy-derived isoflavones on hot flushes, endometrial thickness, and the vascular reactivity of uterine and cerebral arteries.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Sixty-two postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years attending the Outpatient Menopause Clinic of our gynecological departments.


METHODS
The patients were administered 72 mg of soy-derived isoflavones or placebo under double-blind conditions. The daily number of hot flushes was recorded in a diary. Endometrial thickness was measured by means of transvaginal ultrasound; the uterine, internal carotid, and middle cerebral arteries were evaluated using Doppler ultrasound.


METHODS
The daily number of hot flushes, endometrial thickness, and arterial pulsatility index (PI).


RESULTS
Both treatments led to a 40% reduction in the number of hot flushes. Soy-derived isoflavones had no effect on endometrial thickness or the PI of the uterine and cerebral arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
The daily administration of 72 mg of soy-derived isoflavones is no more effective than placebo in reducing hot flushes in postmenopausal women. It also has no effect on endometrial thickness or the PI of the uterine and cerebral arteries.
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Milan, Milan, Italy. mauropen@tiscalinet.it
Mauro
M
Penotti
Elena
E
Fabio
Alberto Bacchi
AB
Modena
Maurizio
M
Rinaldi
Umberto
U
Omodei
Paola
P
Viganó
D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013025:Glycine max; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D007529:Isoflavones; C004742:daidzein; C086566:glycitein; D019833:Genistein