title: Pasta naturally enriched with isoflavone aglycons from soy germ reduces serum lipids and improves markers of cardiovascular risk.
abstract: Most studies of soy and cholesterol have tested foods made from purified soy proteins containing mainly isoflavone glycosides. Fermented soy foods have mainly isoflavone aglycons and account for a high proportion of the soy protein source in Asia, where there is an inverse relationship between soy intake and serum cholesterol. The aim of this study was to compare a novel soy germ pasta, naturally enriched in isoflavone aglycons as a result of the manufacturing process, with conventional pasta for effects on serum lipids and other cardiovascular risk markers. In this randomized, controlled, parallel study design of 62 adults with hypercholesterolemia who consumed a Step II diet that included one 80-g serving/d of pasta, we measured serum lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), urinary isoprostanes, and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation at baseline and after 4 and 8 wk. The pasta delivered 33 mg of isoflavones and negligible soy protein and led to a serum isoflavone concentration of 222 +/- 21 nmol/L; 69% of subjects were equol producers. Soy germ pasta reduced serum total and LDL cholesterol by 0.47 +/- 0.13 mmol/L (P = 0.001) and 0.36 +/- 0.10 mmol/L (P = 0.002) more than conventional pasta, representing reductions from baseline of 7.3% (P = 0.001) and 8.6% (P = 0.002), respectively. Arterial stiffness (P = 0.003) and hsCRP (P = 0.03) decreased and improvements in all the above risk markers were greatest in equol producers. All measures returned to baseline when patients were switched to conventional pasta. In conclusion, pasta naturally enriched with isoflavone aglycons and lacking soy protein had a significant hypocholesterolemic effect beyond a Step II diet and improved other cardiovascular risk markers.
authors: Clinica di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy 06100.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Clerici
authors: Kenneth D R
authors: KD
authors: Setchell
authors: Pier Maria
authors: PM
authors: Battezzati
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Pirro
authors: Vittorio
authors: V
authors: Giuliano
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Asciutti
authors: Danilo
authors: D
authors: Castellani
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Nardi
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Sabatino
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Orlandi
authors: Monia
authors: M
authors: Baldoni
authors: Olivia
authors: O
authors: Morelli
authors: Elmo
authors: E
authors: Mannarino
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Morelli
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007529:Isoflavones; D008055:Lipids