title: Additive effects of isoflavones and exercise training on inflammatory cytokines and body composition in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Isoflavones and exercise have been shown to affect C-reactive protein (CRP) and body composition and to act synergistically on trunk and total fat mass (FM), glucose metabolism, and lean body mass in postmenopausal women with a body mass index higher than 25 kg/m. We hypothesized that exercise and isoflavone supplementation (Ex + ISO) could reduce inflammation in the same subpopulation of women. The objective of this study was to investigate if 6 months of mixed exercise combined with isoflavones could have greater effects on specific inflammatory markers than exercise alone in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 years were randomly assigned to exercise and placebo (Ex + PLA; n = 15) or Ex + ISO (n = 19). At baseline and after 6 months, waist circumference, hip circumference, total FM, trunk FM, leg FM, and muscle mass index (MMI; = total fat free mass [kg] / height [m]) were assessed (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). Inflammatory markers (CRP, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and interleukin-6) were obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T tests were used to compare groups at baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Ex + PLA group showed significant changes in MMI (+0.33 kg/m, P ≤ 0.009) and FM compartments (waist circumference, -5.13 cm; % FM, -1.31%; P ≤ 0.001), whereas inflammation remained unchanged. However, the Ex + ISO group showed significant changes in total FM (-1.70 kg, P < 0.0001), FM compartments (hip circumference [-2.51 cm, P = 0.019], leg FM [-1.16 kg, P = 0.037], and trunk FM [-0.72 kg, P = 0.006]), MMI (+0.39 kg, P = 0.011), and inflammation (CRP, -1.14 mg/L, P = 0.029; TNF-α, +0.29 pg/mL, P = 0.010).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite an increase in TNF-α, the use of isoflavones-when body weight remains stable-seems to enhance the beneficial effects of mixed-exercise training on body composition and CRP in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: From the 1Research Center on Aging, 2Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, and 3Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lebon
authors.forename: Eleonor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riesco
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tessier
authors.forename: Isabelle J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Dionne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D017698:Postmenopause; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007529:Isoflavones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein