The effect of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein level in postmenopausal women.
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.
D'Anna
Rosario
R
Department of Obstetrical and Gynecologic Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Baviera
Giovanni
G
Corrado
Francesco
F
Cancellieri
Francesco
F
Crisafulli
Alessandra
A
Squadrito
Francesco
F
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
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D019833:Genistein; D009640:Norethindrone