title: Does genistein lower plasma lipids and homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women? A meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a meta-analysis examining the effects of genistein on homocysteine and lipid levels in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov website for studies. We performed a meta-analysis using weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals in a random-effects model. We assessed between-study heterogeneity using the Cochran's Q and I(2) statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight randomized, controlled trials with a total of 476 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebos, genistein was effective in reducing plasma levels of homocysteine (WMD, -0.58 μmol/l; p = 0.001), and increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (WMD, 4.9 mg/dl; p = 0.0002). Subgroup analyses revealed that genistein significantly decreased the levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (WMD, -16.90 mg/dl; p = 0.01), total cholesterol (WMD, -15.83 mg/dl; p = 0.008), and triglycerides (WMD, -46.58 mg/dl; p = 0.03) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, but had no significant effects in those with no metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis demonstrates that genistein significantly reduces homocysteine levels and increases HDL cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. Genistein also significantly decreases LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Peking University People's Hospital , Beijing , China ;|b Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China ;
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Peking University People's Hospital , Beijing , China ;|b Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China ;
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Peking University Health Science Center , Beijing , China ;
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pharmacy , Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , Peking University People's Hospital , Beijing , China ;
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine; D019833:Genistein
keywords: Genistein; homocysteine; lipid; meta-analysis; postmenopausal women