This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nikander, E. Articles by Ylikorkala, O. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nikander, E. Articles by Ylikorkala, O.

Evidence of a Lack of Effect of a Phytoestrogen Regimen on the Levels of C-Reactive Protein, E-Selectin, and Nitrate in Postmenopausal Women

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029 Helsinki, Finland

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Eini Nikander, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 140, FIN-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. E-mail: eini.nikander{at}pp.fimnet.fi.

Phytoestrogens are thought to be beneficial to vascular health. Possible mechanisms of action could involve C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelial E-selectin, and nitric oxide. We therefore designed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in which we studied the effects of isoflavonoids on CRP, E-selectin, and nitrate-nitrite (NO_x; reflecting the release of nitric oxide) in postmenopausal women. Fifty-six postmenopausal women (FSH > 30 U/liter) with a history of breast cancer used (in a randomized order) phytoestrogen (114 mg isoflavonoids) or placebo tablets daily for 3 months; the treatment regimens were crossed over after a 2-month washout period. The serum levels of CRP and E-selectin, and plasma levels of NO_x were measured before and on the last day of each treatment. The phytoestrogen regimen did not affect the levels of either CRP (P = 0.584) or NO_x (P = 0.270), but the levels of E-selectin were reduced by 4.0% (2.9 ng/ml; P = 0.031) during phytoestrogen use and by 2.2% (1.3 ng/ml; P = 0.023) during placebo use. No difference was found at any marker at 3 months between the groups. In conclusion, our data, suggesting neutral effects of phytoestrogens on CRP, E-selectin, and nitric oxide, fail to support a vasoprotective role of phytoestrogens.

This work was supported by grants from the research funds of the Helsinki University Central Hospital and the Juho Vainio Foundation.

Abbreviations: CRP, C-Reactive protein; HRT, estrogen plus progestin replacement therapy; NO, nitric oxide; NO_x, nitrate-nitrite.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. K. Chun, S.-J. Chung, K. J. Claycombe, and W. O. Song Serum C-Reactive Protein Concentrations Are Inversely Associated with Dietary Flavonoid Intake in U.S. Adults J. Nutr., April 1, 2008; 138(4): 753 - 760. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Clerici, K. D. R. Setchell, P. M. Battezzati, M. Pirro, V. Giuliano, S. Asciutti, D. Castellani, E. Nardi, G. Sabatino, S. Orlandi, et al. Pasta Naturally Enriched with Isoflavone Aglycons from Soy Germ Reduces Serum Lipids and Improves Markers of Cardiovascular Risk J. Nutr., October 1, 2007; 137(10): 2270 - 2278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. E. Mann, D. J. Rowlands, F. Y.L. Li, P. de Winter, and R. C.M. Siow Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by dietary isoflavones: Role of NO in Nrf2-mediated antioxidant gene expression Cardiovasc Res, July 15, 2007; 75(2): 261 - 274. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. R Matthan, S. M Jalbert, L. M Ausman, J. T Kuvin, R. H Karas, and A. H Lichtenstein Effect of soy protein from differently processed products on cardiovascular disease risk factors and vascular endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2007; 85(4): 960 - 966. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Azadbakht, M. Kimiagar, Y. Mehrabi, A. Esmaillzadeh, F. B. Hu, and W. C. Willett Soy Consumption, Markers of Inflammation, and Endothelial Function: A cross-over study in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome Diabetes Care, April 1, 2007; 30(4): 967 - 973. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Reimann, J. Dierkes, A. Carlsohn, D. Talbot, M. Ferrari, J. Hallund, W. L. Hall, K. Vafeiadou, U. Huebner, F. Branca, et al. Consumption of Soy Isoflavones Does Not Affect Plasma Total Homocysteine or Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Concentrations in Healthy Postmenopausal Women J. Nutr., January 1, 2006; 136(1): 100 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. L Hall, K. Vafeiadou, J. Hallund, S. Bugel, C. Koebnick, M. Reimann, M. Ferrari, F. Branca, D. Talbot, T. Dadd, et al. Soy-isoflavone-enriched foods and inflammatory biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women: interactions with genotype and equol production Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2005; 82(6): 1260 - 1268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Register, J. A. Cann, J. R. Kaplan, J. K. Williams, M. R. Adams, T. M. Morgan, M. S. Anthony, R. M. Blair, J. D. Wagner, and T. B. Clarkson Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Conjugated Equine Estrogens on Inflammatory Markers in Atherosclerotic, Ovariectomized Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2005; 90(3): 1734 - 1740. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ropponen, K. Aittomaki, M. J. Tikkanen, and O. Ylikorkala Levels of Serum C-Reactive Protein during Oral and Transdermal Estradiol in Postmenopausal Women with and without a History of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2005; 90(1): 142 - 146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Nikander, A. Tiitinen, K. Laitinen, M. Tikkanen, and O. Ylikorkala Effects of Isolated Isoflavonoids on Lipids, Lipoproteins, Insulin Sensitivity, and Ghrelin in Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2004; 89(7): 3567 - 3572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]