title: Effects of isoflavone on oxidative stress parameters and homocysteine in postmenopausal women complaining of insomnia.
abstract: Sleep disorders have an increased incidence after menopause. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of isoflavone on some oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women complaining of insomnia. Women aged between 50-65 years (n=38) were recruited and assigned to a double-blind placebo controlled study for 4 months. The treated group received 100 mg/day of isoflavones. Blood collections were conducted on three different occasions to assess total glutathione; superoxide dismutase and catalase in erythrocytes; lipid peroxidation; and homocysteine plasma concentrations. No differences between the groups were observed. However, all the patients seem to improve their oxidative stress status and homocysteine concentration after treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity was correlated with age and time of menopause at the beginning of the treatment, but these correlations were no longer observed by the end of the study. Soy isoflavones were not able to overcome the placebo effect for either oxidative stress parameters or homocysteine concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Letícia C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hachul
authors.forename: Lia R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bittencourt
authors.forename: Edmund C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baracat
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tufik
authors.forename: Vânia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Almeida
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007529:Isoflavones; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D006710:Homocysteine; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione