title: Genistein and endothelial function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous data have suggested that genistein could exert beneficial effects on endothelial function and on predictors of cardiovascular risk in healthy postmenopausal women. In a randomized clinical trial, we studied the effects of genistein on endothelial function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty postmenopausal women with MS, according to modified NCEP-ATP III criteria were randomly assigned to receive placebo or genistein (54 mg/day) for 6 months, along with a Mediterranean-style diet. Postmenopausal women without MS (n = 15), served as controls. The primary goal was the assessment of endothelial function by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of brachial artery; moreover, time-to-peak dilation in the FMD response has been evaluated. Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, visfatin, adiponectin and homocysteine blood levels. Data on adverse events were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months of treatment, FMD at 50s and peak FMD significantly increased in genistein recipients compared with placebo. Moreover, genistein significantly decreased the blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine and visfatin compared with placebo, while blood adiponectin levels were increased. Genistein recipients neither experienced more side-adverse effects than placebo nor discontinued the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Six months of treatment with genistein effectively improves brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irace
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitto
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Altavilla
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Polito
authors.forename: Elena Bianca
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Adamo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arcoraci
authors.forename: Letteria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minutoli
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.forename: Giacoma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Vieste
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Gregorio
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gnasso
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corrao
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
mesh_terms: D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D019833:Genistein
keywords: Clinical study; endothelial function; genistein; menopause; metabolic syndrome