title: Effects of soy germ isoflavones and hormone therapy on nitric oxide derivatives, low-density lipoprotein oxidation, and vascular reactivity in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of soy germ isoflavones and hormone therapy on vascular reactivity, the formation of nitric oxide derivatives, and lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were treated with soy germ, 17beta-estradiol or 17beta-estradiol + noretisterone acetate for 3 months after taking placebo for 1 month. The plasma concentrations of nitrite + nitrate and S-nitrosothiols were evaluated by gaseous phase chemiluminescence; nitrotyrosine, electronegative low-density lipoprotein, and estradiol levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; cholesterol oxides and isoflavones were determined by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Vascular reactivity was analyzed by high-resolution ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soy germ isoflavones and hormone therapy induced a decrease in nitrite + nitrate, electronegative low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol oxides, as well as an increase in S-nitrosothiols. Soy germ isoflavones lowered electronegative low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol oxides more efficiently than did hormone therapy. Only soy isoflavones inhibited nitrotyrosine formation. A significant improvement of vascular reactivity was only seen in women treated with 17beta-estradiol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The soy germ isoflavones and 17beta-estradiol, alone or associated with noretisterone acetate, in the doses and forms used here, have similar effects on the bioavailability of nitric oxide. Soy germ treatment inhibited lipid peroxidation more effectively than hormone therapy.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabela R O
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: André Arpad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Faludi
authors.forename: José Mendes
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aldrighi
authors.forename: Marcelo Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bertolami
authors.forename: Mohamed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: Renata Alves
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Nadjara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.forename: Dulcineia Saes Parra
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Abdalla
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006973:Hypertension; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D017698:Postmenopause; D045730:Soy Foods; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones; D014280:Triglycerides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol