Does genotype and equol-production status affect response to isoflavones? Data from a pan-European study on the effects of isoflavones on cardiovascular risk markers in post-menopausal women.
The increase in CVD incidence following the menopause is associated with oestrogen loss. Dietary isoflavones are thought to be cardioprotective via their oestrogenic and oestrogen receptor-independent effects, but evidence to support this role is scarce. Individual variation in response to diet may be considerable and can obscure potential beneficial effects in a sample population; in particular, the response to isoflavone treatment may vary according to genotype and equol-production status. The effects of isoflavone supplementation (50 mg/d) on a range of established and novel biomarkers of CVD, including markers of lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammatory biomarkers, have been investigated in a placebo-controlled 2 x 8-week randomised cross-over study in 117 healthy post-menopausal women. Responsiveness to isoflavone supplementation according to (1) single nucleotide polymorphisms in a range of key CVD genes, including oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta and (2) equol-production status has been examined. Isoflavones supplementation was found to have no effect on markers of lipids and glucose metabolism. Isoflavones improve C-reactive protein concentrations but do not affect other plasma inflammatory markers. There are no differences in response to isoflavones according to equol-production status. However, differences in HDL-cholesterol and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 response to isoflavones v. placebo are evident with specific ERbeta genotypes. In conclusion, isoflavones have beneficial effects on C-reactive protein, but not other cardiovascular risk markers. However, specific ERbeta gene polymorphic subgroups may benefit from isoflavone supplementation.
Vafeiadou
Katerina
K
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, Whiteknights, University of Reading, UK. a.vafeiadou@reading.ac.uk
Hall
Wendy L
WL
Williams
Christine M
CM
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D060754:Equol; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors
C007610:4',7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroisoflavone; D015415:Biomarkers; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D007529:Isoflavones; D060754:Equol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein