[Effects of soy isoflavone on low-grade inflammation in obese rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of soy isoflavone (SIF) on low-grade inflammation in obese rats induced by high-fat diet, and to elucidate mechanisms of SIF in improving insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
Obese rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: One model control group and 3 SIF groups that were given water solutions with SIF at 0 mg/(kg x d), 50 mg/(kg x d), 150 mg/(kg x d), and 450 mg/(kg x d), respectively. After one month, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, resistin, and adiponectin in serum were detected by enzymic method, radioimmunoassay, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.


RESULTS
In the 150 mg/(kg x d) group and 450 mg/(kg x d) group, fasting body-weights, viscera fatty deposition, and contents of insulin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in serum were significantly lower; serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher; and serum resistin levels were significantly lower in the 450 mg/(kg d) group than those of the model control group. There was no difference in serum C-reactive protein levels among the 3 SIF groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Soy isoflavone may improve the insulin sensitivity by decreasing viscera fatty deposition and adjusting low-grade inflammatory molecules derived from white adipose tissues.
Zhang
Hong-min
HM
Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu.
Chen
Shi-wei
SW
Zhang
Li-shi
LS
Feng
Xiao-fan
XF
D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007529:Isoflavones; D052243:Resistin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein