title: The effect of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein level in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect, in postmenopausal women, of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on circulating two independent factors of cardiovascular risk: homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety healthy postmenopausal women, from 50 to 60 years of age, were randomly assigned to receive genistein (n = 30; 54 mg/die) or continuous combined estrogen/progestin therapy (17-beta-estradiol 1 mg plus norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg) or placebo. Plasma homocysteine and serum CRP were measured at baseline and after 6 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the genistein group, plasma homocysteine and serum CRP showed no statistically significant difference from baseline (homocysteine: 11.36 +/- 0.39 micromol/l; CRP: 1.73 +/- 0.31 mg/l) to 6 months treatment (homocysteine: 10.72 +/- 0.46 micromol/l; CRP: 2.13 +/- 0.45 mg/l), without any significant difference versus the placebo group (homocysteine: 11.25 +/- 0.43 micromol/l; CRP: 1.74 +/- 0.22 mg/l). In the HRT group there was a slight, but not significant reduction, of plasma homocysteine mean value from baseline (11.21 +/- 0.44 micromol/l) to 6 months treatment (10.45 +/- 0.38 micromol/l); whereas CRP mean value at the end of treatment (3.30 +/- 0.55 mg/l) was significantly higher from baseline (1.61 +/- 0.25 mg/l) (P < 0.01). However, after 6 months, no significant difference existed with the other two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The phytoestrogen genistein, after 6 months treatment, does not modify the independent cardiovascular risk linked to circulating homocysteine or CRP level. Our experience confirms critical increase of CRP serum level after HRT treatment, but not plasma homocysteine significant variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical and Gynecologic Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Anna
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baviera
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corrado
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cancellieri
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crisafulli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D019833:Genistein; D009640:Norethindrone