Soy-derived isoflavones treatment in children with hypercholesterolemia: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate for the first time in children the effect of soy-derived isoflavones on lipid profile and insulin resistance.


METHODS
Twelve hypercholesterolemic children (8 females) aged 5.3 to 11.2 years have completed a prospective, controlled pilot study. After a low-fat diet for 12 weeks, children who maintained high cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were randomly assigned to three intervention periods of either placebo or low and high dose isoflavone (16 or 48 mg) consumption, each period lasting 8 weeks.


RESULTS
The diet significantly reduced LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels. However, isoflavones had no effect on cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), Apo B, or insulin resistance, at either low or high doses. Isoflavones had no effect on sex hormones, gonadotropins, sex-hormone binding globulin and thyroid hormones.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study do not suggest a beneficial role of an isoflavone-enriched diet in children with hypercholesterolemia.
Zung
Amnon
A
Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel. amzung2@bezeqint.net
Shachar
Sabina
S
Zadik
Zvi
Z
Kerem
Zohar
Z
D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D045730:Soy Foods; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007529:Isoflavones; D010919:Placebos; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides