Daidzein-rich isoflavone aglycones are potentially effective in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DRIs on hot flash symptoms in menopausal women.


METHODS
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of menopausal women, aged 38 to 60 years, who experienced 4 to 14 hot flashes per day. After a 1-week run-in period, a total of 190 menopausal women were randomized to receive a placebo or 40 or 60 mg/day of a DRI for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the mean changes from baseline to week 12 in the frequency of hot flashes recorded in the participant diary. The secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life and hormonal profiles.


RESULTS
A total of 147 women (77%) completed the study. It was found that 40 and 60 mg of DRI improved hot flash frequency and severity equally. At 8 weeks hot flash frequency was reduced by 43% in the 40-mg DRI group and by 41% in the 60-mg DRI group, compared with 32% in the placebo group (P = not significant vs placebo). The corresponding numbers for 12 weeks were 52%, 51%, and 39%, respectively (P = 0.07 and 0.09 vs placebo). When comparing the two treatment groups with the placebo group, there were significant reductions in mean daily hot flash frequency. The supplement (either 40 or 60 mg) reduced hot flash frequency by 43% at 8 weeks (P = 0.1) and 52% at 12 weeks (P = 0.048) but did not cause any significant changes in endogenous sex hormones or thyroid hormones. Menopausal quality of life improved in all three groups, although there were no statistically significant differences between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
DRI supplementation may be an effective and acceptable alternative to hormone treatment for menopausal hot flashes.
Khaodhiar
Lalita
L
Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Ricciotti
Hope A
HA
Li
Linglin
L
Pan
Weijun
W
Schickel
Mary
M
Zhou
Jinrong
J
Blackburn
George L
GL
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004742:daidzein