title: Equol producers can have low leptin levels among prediabetic and diabetic females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Soy isoflavones have received great attention for their beneficial effects on health and disease, i.e., in patients with diabetes. Equol is a biologically active isoflavone-related metabolite with interindividual differences in its production. The current study investigated the relationship between an equol-producing state and the levels of adipocytokine markers in a prediabetic and diabetic population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 79 subjects (34 males/45 females) in a prediabetic or diabetic state recruited from the general population were examined regarding their ability to produce equol using urine samples. Clinical data, such as age, smoking as well as anthropometric and biochemical variables, including body mass index (BMI), lipids, insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, leptin and adiponectin, were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Equol producers exhibited lower leptin and leptin/BMI than non-producers among females. Simple correlation tests and stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed a significant inverse correlation between the leptin/BMI and equol-production. This relationship was not found in males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female equol producers can have favorable metabolic traits in relation to leptin metabolism in this population. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukaihata-cho, Fushimi-ku, 612-8555 Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: nsakane@kyotolan.hosp.go.jp.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakane
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukaihata-cho, Fushimi-ku, 612-8555 Kyoto, Japan; Division of Community and Family Medicine, Center for Community Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotani
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukaihata-cho, Fushimi-ku, 612-8555 Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kokoro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuzaki
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukaihata-cho, Fushimi-ku, 612-8555 Kyoto, Japan; Hyogo Health Service Association, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Clinical Research Institute for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.affiliation: Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Saga, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukaihata-cho, Fushimi-ku, 612-8555 Kyoto, Japan; Mima City National Health Insurance Koyadaira Clinic, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D060754:Equol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D045730:Soy Foods
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D060754:Equol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D007529:Isoflavones; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human