The Vascular Effects of Isolated Isoflavones-A Focus on the Determinants of Blood Pressure Regulation

The Inverse Association Between Isoflavone Intake and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global disease burden that has resulted in 10 million people being affected by it, yet no new drugs have been approved for clinical treatment. Isoflavone may be able to stop the development of MetS or enhance its treatment. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between dietary intake of isoflavone and prevalence of MetS to find potentially effective treatments. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 8512 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants from 2007 to 2010 and 2017 to 2018 and their associated isoflavone intake from the flavonoid database in the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS). We investigated the relationship between MetS status and isoflavone intake by adjusting for confounding variables using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: In a multivariable-adjusted model, there was a negative association between isoflavone intake and the incidence of MetS (odds ratio for Q4 vs. Q1 was 0.66, 95% confidence interval = 0.51-0.86, P = 0.003, p for trend was <0.001). This inverse association remained robust across most subgroups, while nonsignificant interactions were tested between isoflavone intake and age, sex, ethnicity, economic status, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity level (P values for interaction >0.05). Conclusions: We found that MetS prevalence decreased with increased isoflavone intake, suggesting that dietary patterns of soy food or supplement consumption may be a valuable strategy to reduce the disease burden and the prevalence of MetS.

Chlamydomonas agloeformis from the Ecuadorian Highlands: Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity

Green microalgae are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that, in recent years, are becoming increasingly important in the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields because of their high content of bioactive compounds. In this study, a particular green microalga was isolated from freshwater highland lakes of Ecuador and morphologically and molecularly identified as Chlamydomonas agloeformis (ChA), and it was studied for nutritional and nutraceutical properties. The phenolic composition and the fatty acids profile of lyophilized cells were determined. The methanolic extract was analyzed for the phenolic compounds profile and the antioxidant capacity by means of in vitro tests. Finally, Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC-1) were exploited to explore the capacity of ChA to reduce the endothelial damage induced by oxidized LDL-mediated oxidative stress. The extract showed a good antioxidant ability thanks to the high content in polyphenolic compounds. The observed decrease in HMEC-1 cells endothelial damage also was probably due to the antioxidant compounds present in the extract. Based on the outcomes of our in vitro assays, ChA demonstrated to be a promising source of bioactive compounds possessing exceptional antioxidant capacities which make it a prospective functional food.

Arrest of mouse preterm labor until term delivery by combination therapy with atosiban and mundulone, a natural product with tocolytic efficacy

Currently, there is a lack of FDA-approved tocolytics for the management of preterm labor (PL). In prior drug discovery efforts, we identified mundulone and its analog mundulone acetate (MA) as inhibitors of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -regulated myometrial contractility. In this study, we probed the tocolytic and therapeutic potential of these small molecules using myometrial cells and tissues obtained from patients receiving cesarean deliveries, as well as a mouse model of PL resulting in preterm birth. In a phenotypic assay, mundulone displayed greater efficacy in the inhibition of intracellular-Ca 2+ from myometrial cells; however, MA showed greater potency and uterine-selectivity, based IC 50 and E max values between myometrial cells compared to aorta vascular smooth muscle cells, a major maternal off-target site of current tocolytics. Cell viability assays revealed that MA was significantly less cytotoxic. Organ bath and vessel myography studies showed that only mundulone exerted concentration-dependent inhibition of ex vivo myometrial contractions and that neither mundulone or MA affected vasoreactivity of ductus arteriosus, a major fetal off-target of current tocolytics. A high-throughput combination screen of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -mobilization identified that mundulone exhibits synergism with two clinical-tocolytics (atosiban and nifedipine), and MA displayed synergistic efficacy with nifedipine. Of these synergistic combinations, mundulone + atosiban demonstrated a favorable in vitro therapeutic index (TI)=10, a substantial improvement compared to TI=0.8 for mundulone alone. The ex vivo and in vivo synergism of mundulone and atosiban was substantiated, yielding greater tocolytic efficacy and potency on isolated mouse and human myometrial tissue and reduced preterm birth rates in a mouse model of PL compared to each single agent. Treatment with mundulone 5hrs after mifepristone administration (and PL induction) dose-dependently delayed the timing of delivery. Importantly, mundulone in combination with atosiban (FR 3.7:1, 6.5mg/kg + 1.75mg/kg) permitted long-term management of PL after induction with 30 μg mifepristone, allowing 71% dams to deliver viable pups at term (> day 19, 4-5 days post-mifepristone exposure) without any visible maternal and fetal consequences. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for the future development of mundulone as a stand-alone single- and/or combination-tocolytic therapy for management of PL.

Efficacy and Safety of the Genistein Nutraceutical Product Containing Vitamin E, Vitamin B3, and Ceramide on Skin Health in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Skin aging is one of the most concerning issues that occur after menopause. The Genistein Nutraceutical (GEN) product, containing genistein, vitamin E, vitamin B3, and ceramide, has been formulated as a topical anti-aging product for improving the health of postmenopausal women's facial skin. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the GEN product on postmenopausal women's facial skin. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomly assigned 50 postmenopausal women to receive either the GEN product (n = 25) or the placebo (PLA) product (n = 25), topically applied twice daily for 6 weeks. The outcome assessments included multiple skin parameters related to skin wrinkling, color, hydration, and facial skin quality at baseline and week 6. The percentage mean changes or absolute mean changes, where appropriate, in skin parameters were compared between the two groups. The mean age of the participants was 55.8 ± 3.4 years. For skin wrinkling and skin color parameters, only skin redness was significantly higher in the GEN group when compared to the PLA group. Following the application of the GEN product, skin hydration increased while fine pores and their area decreased. Subgroup analysis of older women (age ≥ 56 years) with adequate compliance found significant differences between the two groups in the percentage mean changes of most skin wrinkle parameters. The GEN product has benefits for the facial skin of postmenopausal women, particularly those who are older. It can moisturize facial skin, lessen wrinkles, and enhance redness.

Inhibition of α1-Adrenergic, Non-Adrenergic and Neurogenic Human Prostate Smooth Muscle Contraction and of Stromal Cell Growth by the Isoflavones Genistein and Daidzein

Isoflavone-rich legumes, including soy, are used for food production, as dietary supplements and in traditional medicine. Soy consumption correlates negatively with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and voiding symptoms. However, isoflavone effects on the prostate are hardly known. Here, we examined the effects on human prostate smooth muscle contractions and stromal cell growth, which are driving factors of voiding symptoms in BPH. Smooth muscle contractions were induced in prostate tissues from radical prostatectomy. Growth-related functions were studied in cultured stromal cells (WPMY-1). Neurogenic, α1-adrenergic and non-adrenergic contractions were strongly inhibited with 50 µM and by around 50% with 10 µM genistein. Daidzein inhibited neurogenic contractions using 10 and 100 µM. Agonist-induced contractions were inhibited by 100 µM but not 10 µM daidzein. A combination of 6 µM genistein with 5 µM daidzein still inhibited neurogenic and agonist-induced contractions. Proliferation of WPMY-1 cells was inhibited by genistein (>50%) and daidzein (<50%). Genistein induced apoptosis and cell death (by seven-fold relative to controls), while daidzein induced cell death (6.4-fold) without apoptosis. Viability was reduced by genistein (maximum: 87%) and daidzein (62%). In conclusion, soy isoflavones exert sustained effects on prostate smooth muscle contractions and stromal cell growth, which may explain the inverse relationships between soy-rich nutrition, BPH and voiding symptoms.

Vietnamese Dalbergia tonkinensis: A Promising Source of Mono- and Bifunctional Vasodilators

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. In the search for new molecules capable of targeting K_Ca1.1 and Ca_V1.2 channels, the expression of which is altered in hypertension, the in vitro vascular effects of a series of flavonoids extracted from the heartwoods, roots, and leaves of Dalbergia tonkinensis Prain, widely used in traditional medicine, were assessed. Rat aorta rings, tail artery myocytes, and docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to analyse their effect on these channels. Formononetin, orobol, pinocembrin, and biochanin A showed a marked myorelaxant activity, particularly in rings stimulated by moderate rather than high KCl concentrations. Ba²⁺ currents through Ca_V1.2 channels (I_Ba1.2) were blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by sativanone, 3′-O-methylviolanone, pinocembrin, and biochanin A, while it was stimulated by ambocin. Sativanone, dalsissooside, and eriodictyol inhibited, while tectorigenin 7-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside], ambocin, butin, and biochanin A increased I_KCa1.1. In silico analyses showed that biochanin A, sativanone, and pinocembrin bound with high affinity in target-sensing regions of both channels, providing insight into their potential mechanism of action. In conclusion, Dalbergia tonkinensis is a valuable source of mono- and bifunctional, vasoactive scaffolds for the development of novel antihypertensive drugs.

Long-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, agnus castus and magnolia extracts on climacteric symptoms and cardiometabolic risk profile in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term effects of a combination of isoflavones, agnus castus and magnolia extracts (combined isoflavone compound [CIC]) on climacteric symptoms and cardiometabolic risk in symptomatic postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This interventional, prospective study evaluated climacteric symptoms, mood and sleep disorders using the 21-item Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires; and cardiovascular, metabolic and thrombotic risk markers at baseline (T0) and after 12 months of CIC treatment (T1).

RESULTS

In healthy postmenopausal women (N = 71), 12-month CIC treatment significantly reduced patient-reported vasomotor symptoms (100% vs. 17%), mood disorders (67% vs. 25%) and sleep disorders (89% vs. 19%%) (all p < .001) compared with baseline; and significantly improved GCS psychological, somatic, and vasomotor domain scores and ISI sleep disturbance scores (all p < .05). CIC significantly reduced systolic (p = .022) and diastolic blood pressure (p < .001), and heart rate (p < .001); glucose concentrations (p = .018), HOMA index (p = .013), and ALT (p = .035), homocysteine (p = .005) and NT-proBNP (p = .003) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term CIC therapy improved vasomotor symptoms, mood disorders, sleep disorders, hemodynamic measurements and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy postmenopausal women.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03699150.

Three Classes of Antioxidant Defense Systems and the Development of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common bone imbalance disease that threatens the health of postmenopausal women. Estrogen deficiency accelerates the aging of women. Oxidative stress damage is regarded as the main pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the bone microenvironment plays a role in osteoblast and osteoclast apoptosis. Improving the oxidative state is essential for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. There are three classes of antioxidant defense systems in the body to eliminate free radicals and peroxides including antioxidant substances, antioxidant enzymes, and repair enzymes. In our review, we demonstrated the mechanism of antioxidants and their effect on bone metabolism in detail. We concluded that glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) conversion involved the PI3K/Akt-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and that the antioxidant enzyme-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of osteoblasts was necessary for the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Since the current therapeutic effects of targeting bone cells are not significant, improving the systemic peroxidation state and then regulating bone homeostasis will be a new method for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Potential Effects of Soy Isoflavones on the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

Isoflavones are polyphenols primarily contained in soybean. As phytoestrogens, isoflavones exert beneficial effects on various chronic diseases. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of death due to arteriosclerosis in individuals with various pathological conditions, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Although the health benefits of soybean-derived isoflavones are widely known, their beneficial effects on the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. This review aims to describe the association between soybean-derived isoflavone intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome development. We reviewed studies on soy isoflavones, particularly daidzein and genistein, and metabolic syndrome, using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. We describe the pathological characteristics of metabolic syndrome, including those contributing to multiple pathological conditions. Furthermore, we summarize the effects of soybean-derived daidzein and genistein on metabolic syndrome reported in human epidemiological studies and experiments using in vitro and in vivo models. In particular, we emphasize the role of soy isoflavones in metabolic syndrome-induced cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, this review focuses on the potential of soy isoflavones to prevent metabolic syndrome by influencing the onset of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and arteriosclerosis and discusses the anti-inflammatory effects of isoflavones.

Isoflavones derived from plant raw materials: bioavailability, anti-cancer, anti-aging potentials, and microbiome modulation

Isoflavones are secondary metabolites that represent the most abundant category of plant polyphenols. Dietary soy, kudzu, and red clover contain primarily genistein, daidzein, glycitein, puerarin, formononetin, and biochanin A. The structural similarity of these compounds to β-estradiol has demonstrated protection against age-related and hormone-dependent diseases in both genders. Demonstrative shreds of evidence confirmed the fundamental health benefits of the consumption of these isoflavones. These relevant activities are complex and largely driven by the source, active ingredients, dose, and administration period of the bioactive compounds. However, the preclinical and clinical studies of these compounds are greatly variable, controversial, and still with no consensus due to the non-standardized research protocols. In addition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies, and the safety profile of isoflavones have been far limited. This highlights a major gap in understanding the potentially critical role of these isoflavones as prospective replacement therapy. Our general review exclusively focuses attention on the crucial role of isoflavones derived from these plant materials and critically highlights their bioavailability, possible anticancer, antiaging potentials, and microbiome modulation. Despite their fundamental health benefits, plant isoflavones reveal prospective therapeutic effects that worth further standardized analysis.

The Role of Food Supplementation in Microcirculation-A Comprehensive Review

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern worldwide and a key cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Accumulating evidence shows that several CVD forms are characterized by significant microcirculatory dysfunction, which may both cause and be caused by macrovascular disease, often preceding clinical manifestations by several years. Therefore, interest in exploring food supplements to prevent and restore microcirculation has grown. Given the continuous need to expand the available therapeutic arsenal for CVD, the food supplements market has recently grown and is expected to continue growing. (2) Methods: We provide an authoritative up-to-date comprehensive review of the impact of food supplementation on microcirculation by analyzing the European and American legal food supplements framework and the importance of food safety/food quality in this industry. We review the main literature about food bioactive compounds with a focus on microcirculation and some main food supplements with proven benefits. (3) Results: Despite a lack of scientific evidence, diet and microcirculatory function are clearly connected. The main food supplement examples in the literature with potential beneficial effects on microcirculation are: Ruscus aculeatus L., Centella asiatica L., Ginkgo biloba L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Crataegus spp., Ginseng, Mangifera indica L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hamamelis virginiana L., and Vitis vinifera L. (4) Conclusions: Further clinical trials are necessary to better explore the effects of these food supplements.

Current Perspectives on the Beneficial Effects of Soybean Isoflavones and Their Metabolites for Humans

Soybeans are rich in proteins and lipids and have become a staple part of the human diet. Besides their nutritional excellence, they have also been shown to contain various functional components, including isoflavones, and have consequently received increasing attention as a functional food item. Isoflavones are structurally similar to 17-β-estradiol and bind to estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). The estrogenic activity of isoflavones ranges from a hundredth to a thousandth of that of estrogen itself. Isoflavones play a role in regulating the effects of estrogen in the human body, depending on the situation. Thus, when estrogen is insufficient, isoflavones perform the functions of estrogen, and when estrogen is excessive, isoflavones block the estrogen receptors to which estrogen binds, thus acting as an estrogen antagonist. In particular, estrogen antagonistic activity is important in the breast, endometrium, and prostate, and such antagonistic activity suppresses cancer occurrence. Genistein, an isoflavone, has cancer-suppressing effects on estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cancers, including breast cancer. It suppresses the function of enzymes such as tyrosine protein kinase, mitogen-activated kinase, and DNA polymerase II, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Genistein is the most biologically active and potent isoflavone candidate for cancer prevention. Furthermore, among the various physiological functions of isoflavones, they are best known for their antioxidant activities. S-Equol, a metabolite of genistein and daidzein, has strong antioxidative effects; however, the ability to metabolize daidzein into S-equol varies based on racial and individual differences. The antioxidant activity of isoflavones may be effective in preventing dementia by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Alzheimer's-related tau proteins. Genistein also reduces allergic responses by limiting the expression of mast cell IgE receptors, which are involved in allergic responses. In addition, they have been known to prevent and treat various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndromes, osteoporosis, diabetes, brain-related diseases, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and inflammation. Further, it also has positive effects on menstrual irregularity in non-menopausal women and relieving menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women. Recently, soybean consumption has shown steep increasing trend in Western countries where the intake was previously only 1/20-1/50 of that in Asian countries. In this review, I have dealt with the latest research trends that have shown substantial interest in the biological efficacy of isoflavones in humans and plants, and their related mechanisms.

Pleiotropic Effects of Isoflavones in Inflammation and Chronic Degenerative Diseases

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens of plant origin, mostly found in the members of the Fabaceae family, that exert beneficial effects in various degenerative disorders. Having high similarity to 17-β-estradiol, isoflavones can bind estrogen receptors, scavenge reactive oxygen species, activate various cellular signal transduction pathways and modulate growth and transcription factors, activities of enzymes, cytokines, and genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Due to their pleiotropic activities isoflavones might be considered as a natural alternative for the treatment of estrogen decrease-related conditions during menopause. This review will focus on the effects of isoflavones on inflammation and chronic degenerative diseases including cancer, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and adverse postmenopausal symptoms.