Effects of isoflavones on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system of postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on hemostasis in healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 47 postmenopausal women 47-66 y of age received 40 mg of soy isoflavone (n = 25) or 40 mg of casein placebo (n = 22) once a day for 6 mo. Levels of factors VII and X, fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex, prothrombin fragments 1 plus 2, antithrombin, protein C, total and free protein S, plasminogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and D-dimers were measured at baseline and 6 mo. Urinary isoflavone concentrations (genistein and daidzein) were measured as a marker of compliance and absorption using high-performance liquid chromatography. Baseline characteristics were compared by unpaired Student's t test. Within-group changes and comparison between the isoflavone and casein placebo groups were determined by a mixed effects model.


RESULTS
The levels of hemostatic variables did not change significantly throughout the study in the isoflavone group; however, the isoflavone group showed a statistically significant reduction in plasma concentration of prothrombin fragments 1 plus 2; both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in antithrombin, protein C, and free protein S levels. A significant increase in D-dimers was observed only in the isoflavone group. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels increased significantly in the placebo group. However, these changes were not statistically different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study do not support a biologically significant estrogenic effect of soy isoflavone on coagulation and fibrinolysis in postmenopausal women. However, further research will be necessary to definitively assess the safety and efficacy of isoflavone.
Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Danyelle R A
DR
Rios
Edna T
ET
Rodrigues
Ana P Z
AP
Cardoso
Marlise B A
MB
Montes
Sílvio A
SA
Franceschini
Maria R T
MR
Toloi
D000368:Aged; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005167:Factor VII / Q000032:analysis; D005170:Factor X / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019833:Genistein / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000652:urine; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D007529:Isoflavones; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D011498:Protein Precursors; C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; C004742:daidzein; C029733:prothrombin fragment 1; C044183:prothrombin fragment 2; D000990:Antithrombin III; D005167:Factor VII; D011516:Prothrombin; D005170:Factor X; D005340:Fibrinogen; D019833:Genistein; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases