Search

Background/objectives The association of fermented soy products, separately from total soy products, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total cancer has not been reported. We examined this association in a population-based prospective cohort study in Japan. Subjects/methods We studied 79,648 participants (42,788 women; 36,860 men) aged 45-74 years without a history of cancer, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire (1995-1998) and were followed to 2009-2012. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incidence of CVD and total cancer according to quartiles of total soy products, nonfermented soy products, fermented soy products, miso soup, natto, total isoflavones from soy products, isoflavones from nonfermented soy products, and isoflavones from fermented soy products. Results In women, we observed a significant inverse association between fermented soy product intake and the risk of CVD (multivariate HR in the highest compared with the lowest quartile of fermented soy product intake: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.95; P for trend = 0.010), and also found significant inverse associations for natto and isoflavones among fermented soy products. In site-specific analysis, we observed a similar, significant inverse association between fermented soy product intake and the risk of stroke in women. We found no significant association between any soy product and risk of CVD in men or total cancer in both sexes. Conclusions Intake of fermented soy products such as natto was inversely associated with the risk of CVD in women., Author(s): Miho Nozue [sup.1] [sup.2] , Taichi Shimazu [sup.2] , Hadrien Charvat [sup.2] , Nagisa Mori [sup.2] , Michihiro Mutoh [sup.2] , Norie Sawada [sup.2] , Motoki Iwasaki [sup.2] , [...]

There has been much interest in the potential role of soy in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Soy foods are uniquely rich in isoflavones, a fact that has triggered much research including intervention studies. However, there have been few long-term prospective observational studies that include disease itself as an outcome. High intake of soy foods is intrinsic to the Japanese diet, which can be advantageous for conducting such studies in Japan. The present report reviews the findings from Japanese prospective cohort studies on soy intake and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, and dementia. The results suggest a beneficial role of soy in several chronic diseases, but they are not without controversy. Discrepancies have been observed in the findings of studies of Japanese or other Asians as compared to those of non Asians. This review discusses the issues to be explored in future studies., Author(s): Chisato Nagata [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan Introduction Epidemiological studies have shown a lower incidence of [...]

Background: Uterine fibroids are highly prevalent, benign tumors. They are the leading indication for hysterectomy, and Black women are disproportionally burdened. Soy-based infant formula contains phytoestrogens, and exposure during sensitive developmental windows may adversely affect the developing uterus; early phytoestrogen treatment in rodent studies led to detrimental uterine effects, including increased fibroid risk in Eker rats. Limited epidemiological studies also have suggested increased fibroid development with soy formula infant feeding. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine the association between soy formula feeding in infancy and fibroid development in adulthood. Methods: We evaluated this association among 1,610 Black/African-American women age 23-35 y in the Study of Environment, Lifestyle & Fibroids (SELF). Soy formula feeding data was gathered directly from the participants' mothers (89%). A standardized ultrasound examination was conducted during 4 clinic visits over 5 y to detect fibroids [greater than or equal to]0.5 cm in diameter. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between soy formula feeding and incident fibroids adjusted for early-life and adult factors. Fibroid growth was calculated as change in log-volume for fibroids matched at successive visits. Results: Of 1,121 fibroid-free participants at baseline, 150 (13%) were ever fed soy formula as infants, and 269 (24%) developed incident fibroids. We did not observe an association between ever being fed soy formula and incident fibroid risk (HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.54). However, participants fed soy formula within 2 months of birth and for >6 months (n = 53) had an elevated risk of fibroid incidence in comparison with those never fed soy formula (HR= 1.56; 95% CI: 0.92, 2.65). Fibroid growth rates did not differ. Discussion: Adding support to limited human data, this prospective fibroid study found that soy-based formula feeding during infancy was associated with a suggestive increase in risk of ultrasound-identified incident fibroids in adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11089, Introduction Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors of the myometrium that develop in over 70% of women of reproductive age. (1) Symptomatic fibroids may cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and [...]

Background/Objectives: Animal studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavones exert antidiabetic effects. However, evidence regarding the association between soyfood intake, a unique source of isoflavones, and type 2 diabetes remains inconclusive. This study assessed the relationship between habitual intakes of soyfoods and major isoflavones and risk of type 2 diabetes in Vietnamese adults. Subjects/Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Vietnam during 2013-2015. A total of 599 newly diagnosed diabetic cases (age 40-65 years) and 599 hospital-based controls, frequency matched by age and sex, were recruited in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam. Information on frequency and quantity of soyfood and isoflavone intake, together with demographics, habitual diet and lifestyle characteristics, was obtained from direct interviews using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between soy variables and type 2 diabetes risk. Results: Higher intake of total soyfoods was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the highest versus the lowest intake was 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.46; P Conclusions: Soyfood and isoflavone intake was associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk in Vietnamese adults., Author(s): C T Nguyen [sup.1] [sup.2] , N M Pham [sup.1] [sup.3] , V V Do [sup.1] , C W Binns [sup.1] , V M Hoang [sup.4] , D A [...]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There is a growing body of evidence to indicate that soy protein consumption may have a beneficial effect on kidney function. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of soy protein consumption compared with animal protein consumption in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a structured electronic search of the databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Chinese Biological Medicine for randomized controlled trials published up to March 2014. The outcome measures were serum creatinine (SCR), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus concentrations. Weighted or standard mean differences were calculated for net changes using random-effects models. RESULTS: The meta-analysis consisted of nine trials, comprising 197 subjects. Soy protein intake significantly reduced SCR and serum phosphorus concentrations. The mean difference was -6.231 pmol/l (95% confidence interval (CI): -11.109, - 1.352 µmol/l) for SCR (P =0.012) and -0.804 (95% CI: - 1.143, -0.464 pmol/l) for serum phosphorus (P = 0.00). It also significantly reduced serum TG, with a pooled estimated change of - 0.223 mmol/l (95% CI: -0.396, -0.051 mmol/l;P = 0.011) after the exclusion of one trial indicated by sensitivity analyses. No statistically significant effects were observed for TC (-0.135 mmol/l (95% CI: - 0.289, 0.019 mmol/l)) or Ca (0.023 mmol/l (95% CI: - 0.016, 0.062 mmol/l)). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis suggested a protective effect of soy protein consumption on SCR and serum phosphorus concentrations in pre-dialysis CKD patients. It may also have a significant effect on lowering serum TG concentrations. However, nonsignificant effects on TC and Ca were observed. Evidence was limited because of the relatively small number of available trials and subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) 68, 987-993; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.112; published online 18 June 2014, INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem with increasing incidence and prevalence, high costs and poor outcomes. (1) Therefore, the question of how to ameliorate the progression [...]

The apparently smaller LDL cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering effect of soy in recent studies has prompted the U.S. FDA to reexamine the heart health claim previously allowed for soy products. We therefore attempted to estimate the intrinsic and extrinsic (displacement) potential of soy in reducing LDL-C to determine whether the heart health claim for soy continues to be justified. The intrinsic effect of soy was derived from a meta-analysis using soy studies (20-133 g/d soy protein) included in the recent AHA Soy Advisory. The extrinsic effect of soy in displacing foods higher in saturated fat and cholesterol was estimated using predictive equations for LDL-C and NHANES III population survey data with the substitution of 13-58 g/d soy protein for animal protein foods. The meta-analysis of the AHA Soy Advisory data gave a mean LDL-C reduction of 0.17 mmol/L (n = 22; P < 0.0001) or 4.3% for soy, which was confirmed in 11 studies reporting balanced macronutrient profiles. The estimated displacement value of soy (13-58 g/d) using NHANES III population survey data was a 3.6-6.0% reduction in LDL-C due to displacement of saturated fats and cholesterol from animal foods. The LDL-C reduction attributable to the combined intrinsic and extrinsic effects of soy protein foods ranged from 7.9 to 10.3%. Thus, soy remains one of a few food components that reduces serum cholesterol (>4%) when added to the diet. J. Nutr. 140:2302S-2311S, 2010. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.124958.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.05.001 Byline: Jeannette M. Beasley, Jeannette M. Schenk, Evette Ludman, Johanna W. Lampe, Susan D. Reed, Lou Grothaus, Katherine M. Newton Abstract: Effective dietary intervention strategies that can be widely disseminated and have the potential for sustainable dietary modifications are needed. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone-based soy intervention. Article History: Accepted 11 March 2010

Obesity is an epidemic condition strongly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Heart disease secondary to obesity is associated with myocardial steatosis, leading to ceramide synthesis and cell dysfunction in a process known as lipotoxicity. Soy protein has been demonstrated to reduce lipotoxicity in the liver and pancreas in different rodent models of obesity. Thus, our purpose in the present work was to assess the effect of dietary soy protein on cardiac lipid accumulation and ceramide formation during obesity and to evaluate its effect in the following 2 rodent models of obesity: 1) a diet-induced obesity model in Sprague-Dawley rats was produced by feeding rats a control or a high-fat casein or soy protein diet for 180 d; and 2) wild-type and ob/ob mice were fed a casein or soy protein diet for 90 d. Soy protein intake led to lower cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the hearts of rats and ob/ob mice in association with a greater PPAR[alpha] mRNA concentration and a lower level of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 mRNA than those fed casein. The ceramide concentration was also lower in hearts of rats and ob/ob mice that were fed soy protein in association with lower serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] mRNA concentrations. These results indicate that dietary soy protein can reduce the heart ceramide concentration by reducing the expression of SPT-1, a key enzyme in the formation of this sphingolipid in the heart of obese rodents, and by reducing lipid accumulation. Thus, soy protein consumption may be considered as a dietary therapeutic approach for lipotoxic cardiomyopathy prevention. J. Nutr. 139: 2237-2243, 2009. Manuscript received May 5, 2009. Initial review completed July 2, 2009. Revision accepted September 22, 2009. First published online October 14, 2009; doi: 10.3945/jn.109.109769.

Type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent in North America and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence supports a role for soy protein in the reduction of serum lipids related to CVD risk; however, few studies have focused on adults with type 2 diabetes who are not on lipid-lowering medications and/or do not have diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of soy protein isolate (SPI) consumption on serum lipids in adults with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes. Using a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention study design, adults with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes (n = 29) consumed SPI (80 mg/d aglycone isoflavones) or milk protein isolate (MPI) for 57 d each separated by a 28-d washout period. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected on d 54-56 of each treatment for analysis of isoflavones and blood was collected on d 1 and 57 of each treatment and analyzed for serum lipids and apolipoproteins. SPI consumption increased urinary isoflavones compared with MPI. SPI consumption reduced serum LDL cholesterol (P = 0.04), LDL cholesterol:HDL cholesterol (P = 0.02), and apolipoprotein B:apolipoprotein A-I (P = 0.05) compared with MPI. SPI did not affect serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B, or apolipoprotein A-I. These data demonstrate that consumption of soy protein can modulate some serum lipids in a direction beneficial for CVD risk in adults with type 2 diabetes.

To determine the effects of feeding soy or isoflavones on lipid homeostasis in early development, weanling rats were fed AIN-93G diets made with casein, soy protein isolate (SPI+), isoflavone-reduced SPI+ (SPI-), or casein supplemented with genistein or daidzein for 14 d. PPAR[alpha]-regulated genes and proteins involved in fatty acid degradation were upregulated by SPI+ (P< 0.05) accompanied by increased promoter binding and expression of PPAR[alpha] mRNA (P< 0.05). Feeding SPI- or pure isoflavones did not alter PPAR[alpha]-regulated pathways. SPI+ feeding had similar effects on PPAR[gamma] signaling. SP++, SPI-, and casein plus isoflavones all increased liver X-receptor (LXR)[alpha]-regulated genes and enzymes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Feeding SPI+ increased promoter binding of LXR[alpha], expression of the transcription factor mRNA, and protein (P< 0.05). In a second experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed casein diets from postnatal d (PND) 24 to PND64 or were fed high-fat Western diets containing 5 g x [kg.sup.-1] cholesterol made with either casein or SPI+. Insulin resistance, steatosis, and hypercholesterolemia in the Western diet-fed rats were partially prevented by SPI+ (P< 0.05). Nuclear sterol receptor element binding protein (SREBP)-1c protein and mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis were increased by feeding Western diets containing casein but not SPI+ (P < 0.05). These data suggest that activation of PPAR and LXR signaling and inhibition of SREBP-1c signaling may contribute to insulin sensitization and improved lipid homeostasis in SPl+-fed rats after consumption of diets high in fat and cholesterol. J. Nutr. 139: 1431-1438, 2009.

Reviewed here are the modes of action of soy components used as ingredients in foods, which can lower plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol, which are markers for the risk for atherosclerosis. Soy ingredients act via more than one mode of action including the following: LDL absorption suppression, cholesterol efflux stimulation, LDL resorption stimulation, LDL oxidation prevention, LDL particle size increase, cholesterol synthesis reduction, and bile secretion increase. Individual genetics, lifestyle, and nutrition habits alter LDL management and a better understanding of the various modes of actions of soy ingredients may facilitate the composition of effective ingredient cocktails. The optimization of food components offers further alternatives to LDL management to augment drug therapy for patients who are unable to reach their target LDL cholesterol levels or who are suffering from side effects or drug insensitivity.

Given the interest in the vascular effects of both soyfoods and soy isoflavones, the purpose of this short review is to evaluate clinical trials that have examined the effects of isoflavone-rich soy products on the novel cardiovascular risk factors, cellular adhesion molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. A total of 14 randomized clinical studies were assessed. From the data evaluated, evidence suggests that neither soyfoods nor soy isoflavones affect IL-6 or TNF-[alpha] expression. In contrast, the effects of soy on cellular adhesion molecules are mixed. Study design characteristics possibly contributing to the inconsistent data are discussed and recommendations for future research in this area are presented.

We previously showed that long-term consumption of a soy protein diet (SoyP) reduces renal damage in obese Zucker (ObeseZ) rats by restoring urinary NO2 and NO3 excretion ([UNO.sub.2]/[NO.sub.3]V), suggesting that nitric oxide (NO) deficiency may contribute to the renal progression observed in this model. In addition, there is compelling evidence that hyperleptinemia produced deleterious effects on the kidney through its interaction with the short leptin receptor (ObRa). This study was designed to evaluate the contribution of the NO/endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) system, renal oxidative stress, and ObRa expression to the renoprotection conferred by the consumption of a SoyP in ObeseZ rats. Ten lean and ten male ObeseZ rats were included. One-half of each group was fed with a 20% SoyP and the other half with a 20% casein protein diet (CasP) over the course of 160 days. eNOS protein levels and phosphorylation, renal lipoperoxidation (rLPO), and antioxidant enzyme activity were assessed. In addition, renal ObRa, TGF-[beta], and kidney injury molecule (Kim-1) mRNA levels, as well as urinary Kim-1 levels, were measured. Renal injury observed in ObeseZ rats fed with CasP was not associated with changes in eNOS expression or phosphorylation. However, this group did present with increased rLPO, reduced catalase activity, and upregulation of ObRa, TGF-[beta]1, and Kim- 1. In contrast, ObeseZ rats fed with a SoyP exhibited a reduction in NOS-Thr495 phosphorylation and rLPO, as well as an enhanced catalase activity. These findings were associated with a significant reduction of ObRa, TGF-[beta]1, and Kim-1 mRNA levels and urinary Kim-1 protein. Our results show that renoprotection by SoyP in ObeseZ rats is in part mediated by increased NO availability secondary to a reduction in eNOS-T495 phosphorylation and oxidative stress, together with a significant reduction in ObRa and TGF-[beta] expression. oxidative stress; nitric oxide; endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation; short leptin receptor

Although soy isoflavone has been suggested to have both immune-enhancing and immune-suppressive effects, the effects of soy isoflavone intake on allergic disorders are unclear. A cross-sectional study indicated that a high intake of soy isoflavone is associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis. We aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between soy isofiavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis, the most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. The study was conducted in a population-based cohort of Japanese men and women. Each subject's usual diet, including soy isoflavone intake, was determined with the use of a validated FFQ in 1992. In 2002, a total of 11,229 persons who were 35-69 y old and had no history of cancer or allergic diseases at the baseline responded to a follow-up questionnaire asking about 4 symptoms related to cedar pollinosis. Cox hazard regression model was used to determine the association between soy isoflavone intake and the risk of cedar pollinosis. During the 10-y follow-up, 931 of these subjects reported that they had cedar pollinosis. There was no significant association between soy isoflavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis in men and women after controlling for covariates. For the highest compared with the lowest quartile of soy isoflavone intake, hazard ratios were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.81-1.42) in men and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.68-1.15) in women. These data did not support an association between soy isoflavone intake and risk of cedar pollinosis.

This study investigated the effects of a phytoestrogen-containing standardized soy extract (SSE) on the growth of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC; A549) xenografts in female athymic mice. Tumor-bearing mice received either sterile water or SSE [50 or 100 mg/(kg-d), per os], 5 d/wk, until the mean tumor weight in each group was at least 900 mg. Treatment with SSE reduced tumor growth in the high-dose group compared with control (P < 0.01 ); tumors in both treated groups had reduced proliferation and greater apoptosis compared with controls (P < 0.05). SSE treatment also induced diffuse central necrosis, reducing the viable tissue mass within the tumor. Whereas tumor levels of epidermal growth factor receptor were comparable in control and treated mice, the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) was lower in tumors of mice treated with 100 mg SSE/(kg.d) than in controls (P < 0.01). The protein level of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase also tended to be lower (P = 0.07) in this group than in controls. Estrogen receptor (ER)[alpha] and ER[beta] were present in tumors, but their expression levels did not differ among groups. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations also were not affected by the treatments. In conclusion, we found that soy phytochemicals slow the in vivo growth of NSCLC xenografts; the modulation of the Akt-signaling pathway observed in tumors of SSE-treated mice may have a role in the activity observed. Our research provides further support for the concept that consumption of phytoestrogens may be effective in delaying lung cancer progression.

Evidence from infusion studies suggests that soy isoflavones influence nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation. It is uncertain whether orally consumed isoflavones have similar effects. Healthy postmenopausal women (n = 22) consumed 2 low-fat test meals in random order 1 wk apart, with 80 mg isoflavones (ISO) or without isoflavones (CON). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation, assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), was measured in fasting subjects, and 4 and 6 h following the test meal, in addition to blood pressure and pulse wave analysis to derive the peripheral augmentation index (pAIx). Blood samples were taken after fasting, and 5 and 7 h following the test meal for serum isoflavone, plasma 8-isoprostane [F.sub.2[alpha]], nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), glucose, and triacylglycerol analysis. Serum genistein and daidzein concentrations (geometric mean, 95% CI) reached 1.49 (1.20-1.84) [micro]mol/L and 0.95 (0.70-1.30)/[micro]mol/L, respectively, following ISO (7 h). FMD and plasma NOx concentrations were greater following ISO compared with CON, indicating better postprandial endothelial function. FMD values (%, mean [+ or -] SD) were: CON, 5.49 [+ or -] 2.32, 4.35 [+ or -] 2.32, 4.40 [+ or -] 2.26; ISO, 5.38 [+ or -] 1.91, 5.08 [+ or -] 1.74, 6.11 [+ or -] 2.60, at baseline, 4 h, and 6 h, respectively (P< 0.01). Plasma NQx concentrations ([micro]mol/L, mean [+ or -] SD) were: CON, 20.0 [+ or -] 5.1, 16.8 [+ or -] 5.1, 23.1 [+ or -] 6.0; ISO, 18.6 [+ or -] 6.3, 19.5 [+ or -] 5.1, 21.3 [+ or -] 10.1, at baseline, 5 h, and 7 h, respectively (P < 0.005). Treatment did not affect pAIx, blood pressure, or plasma 8-isoprostane [F.sub.2[alpha]] concentrations. In conclusion, consuming an isoflavone-enriched low- fat meal acutely increases endothelium-dependent vasodilation in postmenopausal women. Regular consumption of soy isoflavones may protect against endothelial dysfunction.

Dietary intake of soy protein decreases tumor incidence in rat models of chemically induced colon cancer. We hypothesized that decreased expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) underlies, in part, the tumor-preventive effects of soy protein, since FASN overexpression characterizes early tumorigenesis. Here, we show that colonic FASN levels are reduced with dietary intake of soy protein isolate (SPI), compared with a control casein diet, in male Sprague-Dawley rats administered the colon carcinogen azoxymethane. SPI consumption resulted in decreased serum insulin levels and decreased azoxymethane-induced tumor suppressor p53 phosphorylation in colon crypt epithelium. To evaluate potential links between insulin and FASN leading to DNA damage, [C2.sub.BBe]1 colon epithelial cells, treated with insulin and/or the carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU), were evaluated for DNA damage and apoptosis after transfection with control or FASN small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). While the numbers of DNA apurinic/apyrimidinic sites (biomarker of DNA damage) induced by NMU were unaffected by transfection of FASN siRNA, insulin induction of these sites was decreased with FASN knockdown. By contrast, NMUinduced apoptosis of [C2.sub.BBe]1, as well as intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-6, was enhanced by transfected FASN siRNA. Increased FASN expression in IEC-6 cells by addition of liver X receptor agonist T0901317 did not affect apurinic/apyrimidinic site number, but enhanced cell killing by cerulenin, a FASN inhibitor. Moreover, insulin rescued NMU-treated cells from apoptosis in an FASN-dependent manner. Results suggest that dietary SPI, by decreasing circulating insulin levels and colon FASN expression, attenuates insulin-induced DNA damage and FASN-mediated anti-apoptosis during carcinogenesis, resulting in an overall reduced tumorigenic state. colon cancer; insulin; apoptosis

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and long-term compliance with a low-fat diet supplemented with soy protein in men at increased risk for recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Design: Randomized, control study. [...]

Background/Objectives: Animal studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavones exert antidiabetic effects. However, evidence regarding the association between soyfood intake, a unique source of isoflavones, and type 2 diabetes remains inconclusive. This study assessed the relationship between habitual intakes of soyfoods and major isoflavones and risk of type 2 diabetes in Vietnamese adults. Subjects/Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Vietnam during 2013-2015. A total of 599 newly diagnosed diabetic cases (age 40-65 years) and 599 hospital-based controls, frequency matched by age and sex, were recruited in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam. Information on frequency and quantity of soyfood and isoflavone intake, together with demographics, habitual diet and lifestyle characteristics, was obtained from direct interviews using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between soy variables and type 2 diabetes risk. Results: Higher intake of total soyfoods was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the highest versus the lowest intake was 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.46; P [less than] 0.001). An inverse dose-response relationship of similar magnitude was also observed for total isoflavone intake (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.49; P [less than] 0.001). In addition, inverse associations of specific soyfoods (soy milk, tofu and mung bean sprout) and major isoflavones (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) with the type 2 diabetes risk were evident. Conclusions: Soyfood and isoflavone intake was associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk in Vietnamese adults. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017) 71, 1186-1192; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.76; published online 10 May 2017, Author(s): C T Nguyen [1, 2]; N M Pham [1, 3]; V V Do [1]; C W Binns [1]; V M Hoang [4]; D A Dang [2]; A H Lee [...]

Specific estrogen metabolites may initiate and promote hormone-related cancers. In epidemiological studies, significantly lower excretion of urinary estradiol (E2) and lower ratio of urinary 2-hydroxy estrogens to 16[alpha]-hydroxyestrone (2:16 OH-E1) have been reported in prostate cancer cases compared to controls. Although soy supplementation has been shown to increase the ratio 2:16 OH-E1 in women, no studies to our knowledge have investigated the effects of soy supplementation on estrogen metabolism in men. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effects of soy protein isolate consumption on estrogen metabolism in men at high risk for developing advanced prostate cancer. Fifty-eight men supplemented their habitual diets with 1 of 3 protein isolates: 1) isoflavone-rich soy protein isolate (SPI +) (107 mg isoflavones/d); 2) alcohol-washed soy protein isolate (SPI-) (

Abstract Serine protease inhibitors (soybean trypsin inhibitor [STI] and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor [BBI]) found in soybeans have been shown to inhibit melanosome phagocytosis by keratinocytes via protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2). [...]

ATPase/ATP synthase plays important roles in the regulation of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism through modulating energy homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of feeding soy proteins and isoflavones (ISF) on the enzymatic activity and protein modification of hepatic mitochondrial ATPase/ATP synthase. In Expt. 1, Sprague-Dawley rats aged 50 d were fed diets containing either 20% casein or 20% alcohol-washed soy protein isolate (SPI) with or without supplemental ISF (770.7 [micro]mol/kg diet) for 70 d. In Expt. 2, weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 20% casein with or without added ISF (154.1 [micro]mol/kg diet) or 20% SPI for 90 d. Hepatic mitochondrial ATPase activity was significantly higher in the rats fed SPI than in those fed casein. Addition of ISF to SPI eliminated the action of SPI. ATPase/ATP synthase [beta] protein contents in the liver were unchanged; however, its patterns measured by 2-dimensional Western blot were different among dietary groups. The rats fed SPI or SPI plus ISF had 3 more major protein spots with the same molecular weights (80 kDa and 55 kDa) as those presented in the rats fed casein but with different isoelectric points. Pretreatment of hepatic mitochondrial proteins from the rats fed casein with alkaline phosphatase produced the same ATPase/ATP synthase [beta] patterns as observed in the SPI-fed rats and significantly elevated the ATPase activity. These results suggest that consumption of soy proteins increases hepatic ATPase activity, which might be a consequence of increased dephosphorylation or decreased phosphorylation of the mitochondrial ATPase/ATP synthase [beta] protein.

The worldwide increase in degenerative diseases is in part due to modifications in the lifestyle including the diet. Epidemiological, clinical, and experimental evidence shows that soy protein may prevent lipotoxicity in non-adipose tissues during obesity. The molecular mechanism by which soy protein prevents lipotoxicity involves a reduction in the insulin/glucagon ratio, resulting in a down-regulation of lipogenic genes mediated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1, and up-regulation of SREBP-2 to reduce serum cholesterol. In addition, soy protein maintains the functionality of adipose tissue-liver axis to prevent hepatic steatosis during the development of obesity. Key words: adipose tissue, diabetes, lipotoxicity, obesity, soy protein

Subjecting the primary allergen 11S globulin to peptic and chymotryptic hydrolysis study the allergenicity of soybean. The 11S globulin seems to lose allergic properties on hydrolysis as the hydrolyzed peptide fractions lose their immunoreactivity.

Tepnel biosystems and Elisa Systems kits were tested for the detection of soy proteins that are responsible for 90% of food allergies. The matrix interference was tested using cow's milk and cross reactivity towards chickpea was determined. The values obtained for Tepnel Biosystems were higher compared to that with the Elisa Systems Kits.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a weight-loss diet high in soy-protein--rich foods leads to greater weight loss and reductions in waist circumference, fat mass, and cardiovascular disease risk factors than a control diet. Groups of overweight women (body mass index [calculated as kg/[m.sup.2]] of 28 to 33, aged 25 to 49 years) were counseled to decrease their caloric intake by 500 kcal/day for a period of 12 weeks; in addition, the soy-protein--rich group was counseled to consume 15 g soy protein/1,000 kcal daily. Soy-protein--rich foods were provided to subjects. Body weight, waist circumference, percent body fat, fat-free mass, lipids, glucose, and insulin were measured at repeated intervals. Forty-seven women completed the study. Both groups lost a similar amount of weight both when a completers only (-3.18% [+ or -] 0.63% vs -4.04% [+ or -] 0.95% for soy-protein--rich and control diets, respectively) and a last-observation-carried-forward analysis (-1.93% [+ or -] 0.50% vs -2.50% [+ or -] 0.67%, for soy-protein--rich and control diets, respectively) were performed. There was no difference between groups in change in percent fat mass (-5.31% [+ or -] 1.50% for soy-protein--rich diet vs -3.94% [+ or -] 1.68% for control diet), percent fat-free mass, and waist circumference. There was no dietary assignment-by-group interaction on lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations when analyses were done on completers only or on all subjects using a last-observation-carried-forward approach. Percent change in any of the biochemical parameters studied over the 12-week period was not significantly different between groups. Our results do not lend support to the emerging notion that soy-protein--rich foods could be considered potential functional foods for weight management, in the quantities consumed in this study.

Consumption of a soy diet has been found to reduce cancer incidence in animals and is associated with reduced cancer risk in humans. In this study, the effect of consuming soy protein isolate (SPI) on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated signaling pathway was investigated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93G diets with (+) or without (-) SPI-bound phytochemicals or casein (CAS) protein and gavaged orally with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) or sesame oil. We found reduced (P < 0.05) DMBA-induced hepatic cytochrome-P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity, apoprotein, and mRNA expression along with the reduced binding of AhR-AhR nuclear translocator complex to CYP1A1 gene promoter in [SPI.sup.+]-fed rats compared with CAS- or [SPI.sup.-]-fed rats. Basal AhR protein expression was lower (P < 0.05) in [SPI.sup.+]-fed rats compared with CAS- or [SPI.sup.-]-fed groups. AhR levels were reduced (P < 0.05) after rats were fed [SPI.sup.+] for > 20 d. Experiments in which [SPI.sup.+]-fed rats were weaned to CAS diets demonstrated that AhR reduction by [SPI.sup.+] is not imprinted metabolically. To determine the molecular mechanisms of [SPI.sup.+]-mediated AhR reduction, an ex vivo model was developed using FGC-4 cells treated with serum from CAS- or [SPI.sup.+]-fed rats. [SPI.sup.+] serum treatment of FGC-4 cells reduced AhR expression and DMBA-induced CYP1A1 expression (P < 0.05). The reduction in AhR expression was in part due to the shorter half-life of AhR protein. Our findings suggest that the cancer preventive effect of soy-based diets is mediated in part by reduction in AhR protein level posttranslationally, which reduces procarcinogen-induced CYP1A1 induction and metabolic activation.

It is unknown whether the bioavailability of isoflavones is affected by the concomitant ingestion of glucosides or aglycones. This study was designed to investigate the effects of soymilk-based beverages containing different types of isoflavones on their absorption, excretion, and metabolism. Twelve healthy volunteers consumed 3 kinds of soymilk: untreated soymilk, [beta]-glucosidase--treated soymilk, and fermented soymilk. Blood samples were collected after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 24 h. Urine samples were collected from 0 to 48 h. Concentrations of isoflavones and daidzein metabolites in serum and urine were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. After the ingestion of soymilk, the total concentration of isoflavones in serum rose slowly and reached a maximum of 0.94 [+ or -] 0.39 [micro]mol/L at 6.0 [+ or -] 1.2 h. However, [beta]-glucosidase--treated soymilk and fermented soymilk increased the serum isoflavone concentration significantly more quickly with maximum concentrations at 1.0 h of 1.75 [+ or -] 0.33 [micro]mol/L and 2.05 [+ or -] 0.32 [micro]mol/L, respectively. The urinary excretion of isoflavones after ingesting of these aglycone-enriched preparations was significantly greater than after consumption of untreated soymilk up to 8 h after injection, but not thereafter. The total and individual concentrations of isoflavones in serum and urine did not differ when subjects consumed the 2 aglycone-enriched soymilks. However, in equal producers (n = 5), the ingestion of ESM tended to increase urinary excretion of equol compared with the consumption of FSM (P = 0.08). These results demonstrated that the isoflavone aglycones of soymilk were absorbed faster and in greater amounts than their glucosides in healthy adults and that the metabolism of isoflavones might be affected by the type of soymilk consumed.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2005.06.028 Byline: Stacey R. Dunn-Emke, Gerdi Weidner, Elaine B. Pettengill, Ruth O. Marlin, Christine Chi, Dean M. Ornish Abstract: This study assessed the nutrient adequacy of a very low-fat vegan diet. Thirty-nine men (mean age=65 years) with early stage prostate cancer who chose the "watchful waiting" approach to disease management, were instructed by a registered dietitian and a chef on following a very low-fat (10%) vegan diet with the addition of a fortified soy protein powdered beverage. Three-day food diaries, excluding vitamin and mineral supplements, were analyzed and nutrient values were compared against Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Mean dietary intake met the recommended DRIs. On the basis of the Adequate Intake standard, a less than adequate intake was observed for vitamin D. This demonstrates that a very low-fat vegan diet with comprehensive nutrition education emphasizing nutrient-fortified plant foods is nutritionally adequate, with the exception of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation, especially for those with limited sun exposure, can help assure nutritional adequacy.

The soy isoflavones daidzein and genistein are believed to reduce prostate cancer risk in soy consumers. However, daidzein can be metabolized by the intestinal flora to form a variety of compounds with different bioactivities. In the current study, we investigated the influence of long-term dietary habits on daidzein metabolism in healthy Caucasian men (19-65 y old). A secondary goal was to compare plasma and prostatic fluid concentrations of 5 isoflavonoids: genistein, daidzein, equol, dihydrodaidzein, and O-desmethylangolensin. Baseline plasma levels of isoflavonoids were quantitated in 45 men by HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS. Participants then consumed a soy beverage daily for 1 wk, and post-soy isoflavonoid levels were quantitated in plasma and prostatic fluid. Equol was the only metabolite that appeared to be influenced by routine dietary habits. Stratified analyses revealed that men who had consumed >30 mg soy isoflavones/d for at least 2 y had 5.3-times the probability of producing equol than men who had consumed [less than or equal to] 5 mg/d (P = 0.014). Additionally, those men who consumed animal meat regularly had 4.7-times the probability of producing equol than men who did not consume meat (P = 0.023). Equol production was not linked to age, BMI, or the consumption of yogurt, dairy, fruit, or American-style fast food. Daidzein and its metabolites (but not genistein) were typically present at higher levels in prostate fluid than plasma (median = 4-13 times that in plasma). In conclusion, our data suggest that the ability of Caucasian men to produce equol is favorably influenced by the long-term consumption of high amounts of soy and the consumption of meat. Last, the high concentrations of isoflavonoids in prostatic fluid increases the potential for these compounds to have direct effects in the prostate. KEY WORDS: * soy isoflavones * Seventh Day Adventist * prostate cancer

Dietary protein quality is considered to be dependent on the degree and velocity with which protein is digested, absorbed as amino acids, and retained in the gut as newly synthesized protein. Metabolic animal studies suggest that the quality of soy protein is inferior to that of casein protein, but confirmatory studies in humans are lacking. The study objective was to assess the quality of casein and soy protein by comparing their metabolic effects in healthy human subjects. Whole-body protein kinetics, splanchnic leucine extraction, and urea production rates were measured in the postabsorptive state and during 8-h enteral intakes of isonitrogenous [0.42 g protein/(kg body weight. 8 h)] protein-based test meals, which contained either casein (CAPM; n = 12) or soy protein (SOPM; n = 10) in 2 separate groups. Stable isotope techniques were used to study metabolic effects. With enteral food intake, protein metabolism changed from net protein breakdown to net protein synthesis. Net protein synthesis was greater in the CAPM group than in the SOPM group [52 [+ or -] 14 and 17 [+ or -] 14 nmol/(kg fat-free mass (FFM) * min), respectively; P < 0.02]. Urea synthesis rates decreased during consumption of both enteral meals, but the decrease tended to be greater in the subjects that consumed CAPM (P = 0.07). Absolute splanchnic extraction of leucine was higher in the subjects that consumed CAPM [306 [+ or -] 31 nmol/(kg FFM. min)] vs. those that consumed SOPM [235 [+ or -] 29 nmol/(kg FFM * min); P < 0.01]. In conclusion, a significantly larger portion of soy protein is degraded to urea, whereas casein protein likely contributes to splanchnic utilization (probably protein synthesis) to a greater extent. The biological value of soy protein must be considered inferior to that of casein protein in humans. KEY WORDS: * dietary protein * stable isotopes * urea * protein turnover * protein quality

Recent evidence suggests that individuals with high concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, are less responsive to cholesterol-lowering diets. CRP concentrations are increased by oral estrogen; however, the effect of soy phytoestrogens on inflammation has not been studied comprehensively, especially in women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This study was conducted to determine whether adding soy to a low-fat, high-fiber diet affects CRP and interleukin (IL)-6, and to examine the association between CRP levels and lipid response in moderately hypercholesterolemic adults (men = 18, postmenopausal women = 14; 6 receiving HRT). After a 3-wk run-in period with consumption of a Step I diet (27% total fat, 7% saturated fat, 275 mg cholesterol), participants were randomly assigned to diets containing 25 g/d soy protein (+ 90 mg/d isoflavones) or 25 g/d milk protein for 6 wk in a crossover design. Lipids and lipoproteins, CRP, and IL-6 were measured at the end of each diet and participants were categorized into high (>3.5 mg/L) or low CRP groups based on a median split. The addition of soy or milk protein to the Step I diet did not affect lipids or inflammatory markers. Regardless of protein source, those with low CRP exhibited significant decreases in LDL cholesterol (-3.5%) and the LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio (-4.8%), whereas those with high CRP had significant increases in LDL cholesterol (+4.8%), the LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio (+5.2%), apolipoprotein B (+3.8%), and lipoprotein(a) (+13.5%) compared with the run-in diet. These results suggest that inflammation may not only attenuate lipid responses, but also aggravate dyslipidemia in hypercholesterolemic subjects consuming a cholesterol-lowering diet. KEY WORDS: * inflammation * cholesterol * diet * isoflavones * hormone replacement therapy

Inverse associations between soy and prostate cancer and the contribution of hormones to prostate cancer prompted the current study to determine whether soy protein could alter serum hormones in men. Thirty-five men consumed milk protein isolate (MPI), low-isoflavone soy protein isolate (SPI) (low-iso SPI; 1.64 [+ or -] 0.19 mg isofiavones/d), and high-iso SPI (61.7 [+ or -] 7.35 mg isoflavones/d) for 57 d each in a randomized crossover design. Twenty-four-hour urine samples indicated that urinary isoflavones were significantly increased by the high-iso SPI relative to the low-iso SPI and MPI. Serum collected on d 1, 29, and 57 of each treatment revealed that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and DHT/testosterone were significantly decreased by the low-iso SPI [9.4% (P = 0.036) and 9.0% (P = 0.004), respectively] and the high-iso SPI [15% (P = 0.047) and 14% (P = 0.013), respectively], compared with the MPI at d 57. Other significant effects included a decrease in testosterone by the low-iso SPI relative to the MPI (P = 0.023) and high-iso SPI (P = 0.020) at d 29; an increase in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate by the low-iso SPI relative to the MPI at d 29 (P = 0.001) and relative to the MPI (P = 0.0003)and high-iso SPI (P = 0.005) at d 57; and increases in estradiol and estrone by the low-iso SPI relative to the MPI at d 57 (P = 0.010 and P = 0.005, respectively). In conclusion, soy protein, regardless of isofiavone content, decreased DHT and DHT/testosterone with minor effects on other hormones, providing evidence for some effects of soy protein on hormones. The relevance of the magnitude of these effects to future prostate cancer risk requires further investigation. KEY WORDS: * soy protein * isoflavones * healthy men * reproductive hormones

Numerous studies report that soy lowers cholesterol. Probiotic bacteria were also reported to lower total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). We hypothesized that by altering intestinal microflora, probiotic consumption may also change phytoestrogen metabolism and enhance the effects of soy. To evaluate the independent and interactive effects of probiotic bacteria and soy on plasma TC, LDL-C, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), 37 women with a baseline TC of 5.24 mmol/L were given the following 4 treatments for 6 wk each in a randomized crossover design: soy protein isolate (26 [+ or -] 5 g soy protein containing 44 [+ or -] 8 mg isofiavones/d); soy protein isolate + probiotic capsules ([10.sup.9] colony-forming units Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium longum); milk protein isolate (26 [+ or -] 5 g milk protein/d); and milk protein isolate + probiotic. Soy consumption decreased plasma TC by 2.2% (P = 0.02) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P = 0.005), increased HDL-C by 4.2% (P = 0.006) and tended to decrease TG (P = 0.07) compared with milk protein intake. When divided according to initial TC concentration, soy effects were observed only in hypercholesterolemic women (TC > 5.17 mmol/L). In this subgroup, soy treatments decreased plasma TC by 3.3% (P = 0.01), LDL-C by 4.5% (P = 0.004), and TG by 10.6% (P = 0.02), and increased HDL-C by 4.2% (P = 0.02). When subjects were divided on the basis of plasma and urine concentrations of the isoflavone metabolite, equol, equol producers and nonproducers did not differ in baseline lipids or in the effects of soy. Probiotics did not lower cholesterol or enhance the effects of soy. These results confirm a beneficial effect of soy on plasma cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women independent of equol production status, but do not support an independent or additive effect of these particular probiotic bacteria. KEY WORDS: * soy protein * isoflavones * probiotic bacteria * lipids * women

Hepatic CYP3A enzymes were studied in weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to diets from gestational d 4 in which the sole protein source was either casein (CAS) or soy protein isolate (SPI). At age 25 d, rats were gavaged with corn oil or one of the CYP3A inducers, dexamethasone (DEX) and clotrimazole (CLT), at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Little CYP3A1 (CYP3A23), CYP3A2, or CYP3A9 mRNA was observed in CAS-fed weanling rats but CYP3A18 mRNA was readily detectable in Northern blots. In contrast, consumption of SPI without inducer treatment resulted in the expression of CYP3A1 (CYP3A23), and CYP3A2 mRNAs, expression of CYP3A apoprotein in hepatic microsomes, anda 2-fold greater turnover of the CYP3A substrate midazolam (P < 0.05). DEX induced CYP3A1, CYP3A2, and CYP3A9 (P < 0.05), but not CYP3A18 mRNA expression in rats fed both diets. Hepatic CYP3A apoprotein expression and midazolam 4-hydroxylation in SPI-fed rats was greater than that of CAS-fed rats after DEX treatment (P < 0.05). CLT also induced CYP3A2 mRNA 2-fold in rats fed both diets but CYP3A apoprotein expression in microsomes from SPI-fed CLT rats was double that of CLT-treated rats fed CAS (P < 0.05). The elevation of CYP3A apoprotein due to SPI and the CYP3A apoprotein induction by DEX and CLT treatment yielded no significant diet X inducer interaction. Analysis of heterologous nuclear RNA expression by RT-PCR using intron-specific primers for CYP3A1 revealed a 14-fold increase in RNA transcription in CAS-fed rats after treatment with DEX (P < 0.05) but no increase in rats fed SPI compared with rats fed CAS even though CYP3A1 mRNA and CYP3A apoprotein were significantly elevated. These data demonstrate that exposure to SPI during early development can increase CYP3A expression via post-transcriptional mechanisms and suggest that early soy consumption has potential effects on the metabolism of a wide variety of CYP3A substrates. KEY WORDS: * soy protein isolate * CYP3A * induction * rats * development

The effect of high-selenium (Se) soy protein on pulmonary metastasis of murine B16BL6 melanoma cells was investigated in male C57BL6 mice. Isolated soy proteins (ISP) from soybeans grown with and without Se foliar application during seed development were compared. Five diets were studied, a basal AIN-93G diet or a basal diet containing 10% low-Se ISP, 5% low-Se + 5% high-Se ISP, 10% high-Se ISP, or 10% low-Se ISP supplemented with Se equivalent to that of the 10% high-Se ISP diet. The Se concentrations of the 5 diets were 0.13, 0.13, 1.9, 3.6, and 3.0 [micro]g/g, respectively. Mice were fed the diet for 2 wk before and 2 wk after an i.v. injection of 5 x [10.sup.4] viable cells. At necropsy, the number and size of tumors that had developed in the lungs were determined. In the control group, 13/18 mice exhibited [greater than or equal to] 50 tumors. The numbers of mice with [greater than or equal to] 50 tumors were 8/18, 7/18, 3/18, and 6/17 in the ISP-fed groups, respectively. The differences between the 10% high-Se ISP group, the Se-supplemented 10% low-Se group, and the control were significant (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 10% low-Se ISP significantly decreased the mean number of tumors per group and the tumor size compared with the control. A greater reduction in these variables occurred in mice fed the 10% high-Se ISP diet. The inhibition by the Se-supplemented 10% low-Se ISP diet was similar to that by the 10% high-Se ISP diet. The whole-blood Se concentration was inversely related to the tumor number (R = -0.87, P = 0.052), tumor cross-sectional area (R = -0.91, P < 0.05), and tumor volume (R = -0.93, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that Se is responsible for the greater antimetastatic effect of the high-Se ISP. We conclude that the high-Se soy protein has a greater inhibitory effect than the low-Se soy protein on pulmonary metastasis of melanoma cells in mice. J. Nutr. 134: 1536-1540, 2004. KEY WORDS: * selenium * soy protein * melanoma * metastasis * mice

Compared with casein, dietary soy protein slows disease progression in animal models of chronic renal injury. To determine whether dietary soy protein feeding can alter early disease progression, male Han:SPRD-cy rats (n = 87) in a very early stage of chronic kidney disease were fed soy protein compared with casein-based diets for 1 or 3 wk. Kidneys were assessed for fibrosis, cyst growth, fatty acid composition and prostaglandin [E.sub.2] (PG[E.sub.2]) production. Soy protein feeding significantly reduced renal fibrosis by 22% (P = 0.0347) and 38% (P = 0.0102) after 1 and 3 wk of diet, and cyst growth was 34% lower after 3 wk (P < 0.0001). Kidney 18:2(n-6) levels were reduced in normal and diseased rats after as little as 1 wk of consuming the soy protein diet. Dietary soy protein also partially ameliorated the suppression of PG[E.sub.2] production observed in diseased kidneys. Compared with diseased kidneys from casein-fed rats, ex vivo PG[E.sub.2] release was 31-32% higher after 1 (P = 0.0281) and 3 (P = 0.0189) wk of dietary soy protein consumption. Hence, the first signs of a beneficial soy protein effect were observed after 1 wk of feeding, with further improvements evident after 3 wk. These data demonstrate that dietary soy protein compared with casein delays disease progression in an early stage of chronic kidney disease. J. Nutr. 134: 1504-1507, 2004. KEY WORDS: * dietary soy protein * chronic kidney disease * early intervention

There is growing evidence that soy protein improves the blood lipid profiles of animals and humans. We compared the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH), soy protein, and casein (control) on lipid metabolism in Wistar rats and genetically obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats. In Zucker rats, FPH treatment affected the fatty acid composition in liver, plasma, and triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins. The mRNA levels of [DELTA]5 and [DELTA]6 desaturases were reduced by FPH and soy protein feeding compared with casein feeding. In Zucker rats both FPH and soy protein treatment reduced the plasma cholesterol level. Furthermore, the HDL cholesterol: total cholesterol ratio was greater in these rats and in the Wistar rats fed FPH and soy protein compared with those fed casein. Although fecal total bile acids were greater in soy protein-fed Zucker rats than in casein-fed controls, those fed FPH did not differ from the controls. However, the acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was reduced in Zucker rats fed FPH and tended to be lower (P = 0.13) in those fed soy protein compared with those fed casein. Low ratios of methionine to glycine and lysine to arginine in the FPH and soy protein diets, compared with the casein diet, may be involved in lowering the plasma cholesterol concentration. Our results indicate that the effects of FPH and soy protein on fatty acid metabolism are similar in many respects, but the hypocholesterolemic effects of FPH and soy protein appear to be due to different mechanisms. FPH may have a role as a cardioprotective nutrient. KEY WORDS: * plasma cholesterol * fish protein * fatty acid composition * fecal bile acids

Byline: Suzanne C. Ho (1), Jean Woo (2), Silvia Lam (1), Yuming Chen (1), Aprille Sham (1), Joseph Lau (3) Keywords: Bone mineral content; Bone mineral density; Chinese postmenopausal women; Soy protein Abstract: Recent interest has been shown in the potential beneficial effects of phytoestrogens on bone health. As the early years of menopause are a period of rapid bone loss, and the risk for osteoporosis increases substantially, the habitual intake of soy protein and isoflavones may play a role in the retardation of bone loss. This paper reports the results of the baseline cross-sectional analysis of the association between dietary soy protein intake and bone mineral density/content in a population-based study of Chinese women. The sample comprised 454 healthy Chinese women (mean age 55.1+-3.57) within the first 12 years of postmenopause. We estimated the dietary intake of soy protein and isoflavones, and other key nutrients, including dietary protein and calcium, using the quantitative food frequency method. Bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) at the spine, hip and total body were measured with a dual energy X-ray densitometer (Hologic 4500A). Soy protein consumption was categorized as quartiles of intake, and related to BMD values at the spine and hip, and BMC of total body. Stratified analyses were carried out among women within or at least 4 years postmenopausal. We observed few differences in BMD/BMC values among the intake quartiles in women within the first 4 years of menopause. However, among the later postmenopausal women, we noted a dose-response relationship with increasing higher BMD values at the trochanter, intertrochanter as well as the total hip and total body with increasing soy protein intake quartiles (P&lt 0.05 from tests for trend). The BMD values differed by about 4--8% between the first and fourth soy protein intake quartiles. Though women from the fourth intake quartile had a 2.9% higher BMD value compared with those from the first intake quartile, the difference was not statistically significant. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses showed the association between soy intake quartiles and hip BMD as well as total body BMC values remained after adjusting for body weight, which was retained in the final model. Analyses based on soy isoflavones content yielded similar results. This study demonstrated that, among women after the initial few years postmenopausal, soy protein/isoflavones intake had a modest but significant association with hip BMD as well as total body BMC. The effects of soy protein and soy isoflavones on bone health should be further explored in populations with habitual dietary soy intake. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4th Floor, N.T., Hong Kong (2) Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (3) Centre of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Article History: Received Date: 13/01/2003 Accepted Date: 28/05/2003 Online Date: 14/08/2003

Soy food intake has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Data directly linking soy food intake to clinical outcomes of cardiovascular disease, however, are sparse. We examined the relationship between soy food intake and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among participants in the Shanghai Women's Health Study, a population-based prospective cohort study of ~75,000 Chinese women aged 40-70 y at the baseline survey that was conducted from 1997 to 2000. Included in this study were 64,915 women without previously diagnosed CHD, stroke, cancer and diabetes at baseline. Information on usual intake of soy foods was obtained at baseline through an in-person interview using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Cohort members were followed biennially through in-person interviews. After a mean of 2.5 y (162,277 person-years) of follow-up, 62 incident cases of CHD (43 nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 19 CHD deaths) were documented. There was a clear monotonic dose-response relationship between soy food intake and risk of total CHD (P for trend = 0.003) with an adjusted relative risk (RR) of 0.25 (95% CI, 0.10-0.63) observed for women in the highest vs. the lowest quartile of total soy protein intake. The inverse association was more pronounced for nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.48 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile of intake; P for trend = 0.001). This study provides, for the first time, direct evidence that soy food consumption may reduce the risk of CHD in women. KEY WORDS: * soy food * coronary heart disease * women * Chinese

We conducted two experiments comparing the use of extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESoy) to solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets. In Exp. 1, the objective was to determine the optimal processing temperature of EESoy for nursery pig growth performance. Pigs (n = 330, 13.2 [+ or -] 2.3 kg of BW) were fed a control diet containing SBM with added fat or one of five diets containing EESoy extruded at 143.3, 148.9, 154.4, 160.0, or 165.6[degrees]C. All diets were formulated on an equal apparent digestible lysine:ME ratio. From d 0 to 20, no differences were observed (P > 0.32) in ADG or ADFI (average of 544 and 924 g/d, respectively). However, gain:feed ratio (G/F) improved (quadratic, P < 0.01, range of 0.56 to 0.60) with increasing processing temperature, with the greatest improvement at 148.9[degrees]C. In Exp. 2, the objective was to determine the feeding value of EESoy relative to SBM with or without added fat for growing-finishing pigs in a commercial production facility. A total of 1,200 gilts (initially 24.5 [+ or -] 5.1 kg of BW) was used, with 25 pigs per pen and eight replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial, with two sources of soybean meal (SBM or EESoy) and three levels of added fat. Pigs were phase-fed four diets over the experimental period and added fat (choice white grease) levels were 0, 3.4, and 7% initially, with the added fat levels decreasing in the next three dietary phases. Energy levels were based such that the higher energy in EESoy (with or without added fat) was calculated to be equal to that provided by SBM with added fat. From 24.5 to 61.2 kg, pigs fed EESoy had greater (P < 0.07) G/F than those fed SBM. Increasing added fat in either EESoy-or SBM-based diets increased G/F (linear, P < 0.0003). From 61.2 to 122.5 kg, ADG and G/F were unaffected in pigs fed EESoy and/or increasing added fat (P > 0.10). For the overall growing-finishing period, ADG was unaffected (P > 0.61) by increasing energy density of the diet; however, ADFI decreased (P < 0.05) and G/F increased (P < 0.02, range of 0.37 to 0.40) as energy density increased with either EESoy or added fat. Carcass leanness was not affected by dietary treatment. These results indicate that EESoy should be extruded at 148.9 to 154.4[degrees]C, and that increasing dietary energy density by using EESoy and/or added fat improves feed efficiency in finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment. Key Words: Fat, Finishing Pigs, Piglets, Processing, Soybean Oilmeal

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, generally exceeded only by cardiovascular disease in the developed world. The number of people diagnosed with cancer within the next few decades is expected to double. There will therefore be increased demand for novel diagnostic and medical therapies that use new non-traditional sources. Soybeans contain a variety of anticarcinogenic phytochemicals. Recently, there has been increased interest in the potential health benefits of bioactive polypeptides and proteins from soybeans, including lunasin and lectins. Lunasin is a polypeptide that arrests cell division and induces apoptosis in malignant cells. Lectins are glycoproteins that selectively bind carbohydrates; lectins are used in medicine in a variety of new applications. Additional research, including clinical trials, should continue to examine and elucidate the therapeutic effects, nutritional benefits, and toxic consequences of commonly ingested soybean lectins and lunasin. Key words: hemmaglutinins, cancer treatment, soybean, lectin, lunasin