Effects of phytoestrogen genistein on cytogenetic biomarkers in postmenopausal women: 1 year randomized, placebo-controlled study.
To evaluate in a twelve-month, randomized placebo-controlled study whether pure administration of phytoestrogen genistein (54 mg/day) might reduce cytogenetic biomarkers in peripheral lymphocytes of postmenopausal women. A total of 57 postmenopausal women met the criteria and were randomly assigned to receive phytoestrogen genistein (n = 30) or placebo (n = 27). There was no significant difference in age, length of time since menopause or body mass index between the two groups. After one year, plasma genistein level was 0.14 +/- 0.01 micromol/L in the control group and 0.72 +/- 0.08 micromol/L in the genistein group (P < 0.0001). At baseline, sister chromatid exchange rate was 4.97 +/- 2.17 in the control group and 4.96 +/- 1.83 in the genistein group (P = 0.89). After one year, sister chromatid exchange rate was 4.96 +/- 2.16 in the control group and 3.98 +/- 1.14 in the genistein group (P < 0.05). High frequency cells count was 3% in the genistein group and 5% in the control group (P < 0.05) at the end of the study. Chromosomal aberration frequency was 5.55% in the control group at time 0 and 5.75% in the genistein group; after one year, the figures were 5.86% in the control group and 4.5% in the genistein group (P < 0.05). After one year, there was a negative relationship between sister chromatid exchange rate and plasma levels (r = - 0.43; P < 0.05) in the genistein group. Phytoestrogen genistein has been shown in postmenopausal women to be effective in the reduction of cytogenetic biomarkers. The protective effect on genomic damage appears to be a particularly promising tool in reducing the risk of cancer.
Atteritano
Marco
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy. marco.atteritano@unime.it <marco.atteritano@unime.it>
Pernice
Francesco
F
Mazzaferro
Susanna
S
Mantuano
Stefania
S
Frisina
Alessia
A
D'Anna
Rosario
R
Cannata
Maria Letizia
ML
Bitto
Alessandra
A
Squadrito
Francesco
F
Frisina
Nicola
N
Buemi
Michele
M
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D019833:Genistein