title: Soy protein retards the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via improvement of insulin resistance and steatosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common cause of liver disease, and it may progress to fibrosis or cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soy protein on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in NASH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 4 wk to induce NASH and then were allocated to one of four diets: a NASH-inducing diet, a standard diet, a NASH-inducing diet plus soy protein, and a standard diet plus soy protein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the 10-wk experimental period, the results showed that soy protein significantly lowered plasma cholesterol concentrations and body fat accumulation. Soy protein intake also decreased the hepatic lipid depots of triacylglycerols and cholesterol and decreased the concentrations of lipid peroxides. In an analysis of antioxidative status, rats fed the soy protein diet showed improved antioxidative potential due to increases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and a decrease in the protein expression of cytochrome P450 2E1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Soy protein may improve the liver function in patients with NASH by lowering lipid levels in the blood and liver, increasing the antioxidative capacity, and improving insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Nutrition, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ya-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Chiah-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: An-Tsz
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Jiun-Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Le-Shin
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sien-Sing
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004041:Dietary Fats; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D002374:Catalase; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase