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SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
ON THE ROLE OF SOY
IN PREVENTING AND TREATING CHRONIC DISEASESeptember 15-18, 1996
Brussells, Belgium
POSTER ABSTRACTSDietary soy supplementation is oestrogenic in menopausal women
Harding C, Morton M, Gould V, McMichael Phillips D, Howell A, Bundred NJ
University Department of Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester, and Tenovus Medical Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom
A high dietary intake of phytoestrogens is associated with prolongation of the menstrual cycle and a reduction in the incidence of breast cancer. Menopausal women with severe vasomotor symptoms were given soy protein (80mg total isoflavones), or placebo (casein) drinks, per day for two months, in a double-blind cross-over trial to assess whether dietary supplementation with soy reduced the frequency of hot
flushes.
Hot flushes were counted daily during the six months of the trial (2 week run-in, 16 weeks protein drink, 12 week wash-out period). Serum and urine was collected to measure phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, equol, enterolactone and enterdiol), and serum was collected for oestrogen, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, growth hormone (GH), cholesterol and triglycerides. Of 27 women recruited (mean age 56 years range 43-65 years), 20 have so far completed the study. Serum isoflavones were higher during soy supplementation compared to placebo, genistein and daidzein (both p<0.001), enterolactone (p<0.02). Preliminary biochemical analysis has demonstrated that 2 months soy (but not placebo) supplementation resulted in a significant increase in GH from 2.06 mu/l (range 0.5-5.3) to 2.9 mu/l (range 0.5-10; p<0.04), and prolactin from 229.7 mu/l (115-451) to 256.5 mu/l (66-681; p<0.03). LH was significantly reduced from 35.3 IU/l (8-50) to 28.0 IU/l (4-50; p<0.006). Serum cholesterol was also reduced in the soy group from 5.92 mmol/l (3.7-8.5) to 5.44 mmol/l (3.7-7.3; p<0.02). Whilst on placebo patients showed no significant change in any hormonal parameters. Preliminary analysis of frequency of hot flushes showed a reduction on the soy diet (p<0.03). These findings suggest phytoestrogens have oestrogenic properties in menopausal women, acting on pituitary to increase GH and prolactin as well as reducing hot flushes.
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