Preliminary Results on the Effects of Soybean Isoflavones on Growth Performance and Ruminal Microbiota in Fattening Goats

Soybean isoflavones (SIFs), a group of secondary metabolites, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-like activities. Supplementation with SIFs in the diet was reported to promote lactation performance in ruminants. The present study was performed to further decipher the effect of various concentrations of SIFs on growth and slaughter performance, serum parameters, meat quality, and ruminal microbiota in fattening goats. After a two-week acclimation, a total of 27 5-month-old Guanzhong male goats (18.29 ± 0.44 kg) were randomly assigned to control (NC), 100 mg/d SIF (SIF1), or 200 mg/d SIF (SIF2) groups. The experimental period lasted 56 days. The weight of the large intestine was greater (p < 0.05) in the SIF1 and SIF2 groups compared with the NC group. Meat quality parameters indicated that SIF1 supplementation led to lower (p < 0.05) cooking loss and shear force (0.05 < p < 0.10). The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that SIF1 supplementation led to lower (p < 0.05) proportions of Papillibacter and Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 but greater (p < 0.05) CAG-352 abundance in the rumen; these responses might have contributed to the improvement in production performance. In conclusion, meat quality and ruminal microbiome could be manipulated in a positive way by oral supplementation with 100 mg/d of SIFs in fattening goats. Thus, this study provides new insights and practical evidence for the introduction of SIFs as a novel additive in goat husbandry.

Effects of fermentation with different probiotics on the quality, isoflavone content, and flavor of okara beverages

The present study aimed to prepare and evaluate a new probiotic functional beverage, using single-probiotic and compound probiotic fermentation on okara. Four different forms of fermentation microorganisms used were Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus S24 (Lr), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 6244 (Lp), Lactobacillus acidophilus 11,073 (La), and mixed fermentation (Lr + Lp + La). The physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, flavor change, and storage period of fermented okara beverages with probiotics were investigated. The results showed that different fermentation schemes could significantly improve the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality of the okara beverages. The number of viable bacteria in the Lp group (3.53 × 108 CFU/mL), isoflavone content (0.514 μg/mL) were the highest; total phenol and flavonoid content were 3.32 and 5.68 times higher than in the CK group, respectively. DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging rates were increased by 11.32% and 20%, respectively (p < .05). Through SPME/GC-MS analysis, 44 volatile compounds were identified in the Lr + Lp + La groups, mainly as a result of changes in alcohols and aldehydes produced by fermentation metabolism. It enhances the floral and fruity aroma of the okara beverage. All probiotic-fermented okara beverages can be stored at 4°C for 15 days, with probiotic activity greater than 107 CFU/mL. This study can obtain a probiotic okara beverage rich in soybean isoflavones and with good flavor. Overall, okara can be used to develop functional beverages containing probiotics and contribute to a zero-waste approach in the food industry.

[Soybean isoflavones alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory cascade reaction]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism that mediates the effect of soybean isoflavones (SI) against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in light of the regulation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), ferroptosis, inflammatory response and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.

METHODS

A total of 120 male SD rats were equally randomized into sham-operated group (Sham group), cerebral I/R injury group and SI pretreatment group (SI group). Focal cerebral I/R injury was induced in the latter two groups using a modified monofilament occlusion technique, and the intraoperative changes of real-time cerebral cortex blood flow were monitored using a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF). The postoperative changes of cerebral pathological morphology and the ultrastructure of the neurons and the BBB were observed with optical and transmission electron microscopy. The neurological deficits of the rats was assessed, and the severities of cerebral infarction, brain edema and BBB disruption were quantified. The contents of Fe²⁺, GSH, MDA and MPO in the ischemic penumbra were determined with spectrophotometric tests. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1βwere analyzed using ELISA, and the expressions of GPX4, MMP-9 and occludin around the lesion were detected with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The rCBF was sharply reduced in the rats in I/R group and SI group after successful insertion of the monofilament. Compared with those in Sham group, the rats in I/R group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarction volume, brain water content and Evans blue permeability (P < 0.01), decreased Fe²⁺ level, increased MDA level, decreased GSH content and GPX4 expression (P < 0.01), increased MPO content and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P < 0.01), increased MMP-9 expression and lowered occludin expression (P < 0.01). All these changes were significantly ameliorated in rats pretreated with IS prior to I/R injury (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSION

SI preconditioning reduces cerebral I/R injury in rats possibly by improving rCBF, inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammatory response and protecting the BBB.

Genistein, a Soybean Isoflavone, Promotes Wound Healing by Enhancing Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization in Rats with Hemorrhagic Shock

Severe trauma and hemorrhaging are often accompanied by delayed cutaneous wound healing. Soybean isoflavone is a natural phytoestrogen that has attracted great attention due to its protective effects against various injuries. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are precursor cells with directional differentiation characteristics. This study is to determine whether genistein (GEN), an isoflavone in soybean products, benefits wound healing in hemorrhagic shock (HS) rats by promoting EPC homing and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. In this study, it is found that GEN promotes skin wound healing in HS rats, which is due at least partly to the mobilization of endogenous EPCs to the injury site via angiotensin II (Ang-II), stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1α), and transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β) signaling.

Effects of dietary supplementation with dandelion tannins or soybean isoflavones on growth performance, antioxidant function, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition in Wenchang chickens

Many benefits have been found in supplementing tannins or soybean isoflavones to poultry, including increased body weight gain, antioxidant activity, and better intestinal morphology. However, few studies tested the influence of dandelion tannins or soybean isoflavones supplementation on Wenchang chickens. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with dandelion tannins or soybean isoflavones on the growth performance, antioxidant function, and intestinal health of female Wenchang chickens. A total of 300 chickens were randomly divided into five groups, with six replicates per group and 10 broilers per replicate. The chickens in the control group (Con) were fed a basal diet; the four experimental groups were fed a basal diet with different supplements: 300 mg/kg of dandelion tannin (DT1), 500 mg/kg of dandelion tannin (DT2), 300 mg/kg of soybean isoflavone (SI1), or 500 mg/kg of soybean isoflavone (SI2). The experiment lasted 40 days. The results showed that the final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) were higher in the DT2 and SI1 groups than in the Con group (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation with dandelion tannin or soybean isoflavone increased the level of serum albumin (P <0.05); the concentrations of serum aspartate aminotransferase and glucose were significantly higher in the SI1 group (P < 0.05) than in the Con group and the concentration of triglycerides in the DT1 group (P < 0.05). The serum catalase (CAT) level was higher in the DT1 and SI1 groups than in the Con group (P < 0.05). The ileum pH value was lower in the DT2 or SI1 group than in the Con group (P < 0.05). The jejunum villus height and mucosal muscularis thickness were increased in the DT2 and SI1 groups (P < 0.05), whereas the jejunum crypt depth was decreased in the DT1 or DT2 group compared to the Con group (P < 0.05). In addition, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) in the duodenum of the SI1 group and those of occludin, ZO-1, and claudin-1 in the ileum of the DT2 and SI1 groups were upregulated (P < 0.05) compared to the Con group. Moreover, the DT2 and SI1 groups exhibited reduced intestinal microbiota diversity relative to the Con group, as evidenced by decreased Simpson and Shannon indexes. Compared to the Con group, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was lower and that of Barnesiella was higher in the DT2 group (P < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg of dandelion tannin or 300 mg/kg of soybean isoflavone improved the growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, antioxidant function, and intestinal morphology and modulated the cecal microbiota composition of Wenchang chickens.

Effect of Soybean Isoflavones on Proliferation and Related Gene Expression of Sow Mammary Gland Cells In Vitro

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of synthetic soybean isoflavones (ISO) on the proliferation and related gene expression of sow mammary gland cells. Cells were cultured with 0 (control), 10, 20, or 30 μM of ISO under incubation conditions. After a 48 h incubation, these ISO-incubated cells proliferated more (p < 0.05) than the control cells. Cyclin E expression was higher (p < 0.05) in the 10 μM ISO and 20 μM ISO treatment groups than in the control group. Cyclin D1 and p21 expressions decreased (p < 0.05) with the 10 μM ISO treatment for 48 h. The relative mRNA abundances of the cells’ IG-1R (Insulin-like growth factor-1R), EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor), STAT3 (Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and AKT (protein kinase B) were enhanced (p < 0.05) by the 20 μM ISO treatment for 24 h and 48 h in the medium. The relative mRNA abundances of κ-casein at 48 h of incubation and β-casein at 24 h and 48 h of incubation were increased (p < 0.05) by 10 μM of ISO supplementation. It was concluded that ISO improved the proliferation of sow mammary gland cells, possibly by regulating cyclins and function genes expression in the cell proliferation signaling pathway.

Effects of Soybean Isoflavone and Astragalus Polysaccharide Mixture on Colostrum Components, Serum Antioxidant, Immune and Hormone Levels of Lactating Sows

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of soybean isoflavone (SI) and astragalus polysaccharide (APS) mixture on the colostrum components, serum antioxidant, immune and hormone levels of lactating sows. A total of 72 healthy Yorkshire × Landrace lactating sows, were randomly divided into four treatments with six replicates and three lactating sows for each replicate. The control group was fed the basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed the basal diet with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg SI and APS mixture in the form of powder, respectively. Compared with the control group, (a) the total lactation yield of the 200 mg/kg group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at 21 days, (b) there was no significant difference in colostrum composition, (c) TG, CHO and MDA content in each treatment group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), (d) IgA, GH, IGF-1, TNF-α and SOD contents in the 200 mg/kg group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The SI and APS mixture could improve the average daily feed intake, lactation yield, serum antioxidant activities, immune function, and hormone levels of lactating sows, and the optimum dosage in this study was 200 mg/kg.

Soybean isoflavones reduce citrinin production by Monascus aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 in liquid state fermentation using different media

BACKGROUND

Monascus, a filamentous fungus, produces many bioactive substances. However, in the process of fermentation, Monascus also produces the mycotoxin citrinin. Owing to the presence of citrinin, the safety of Monascus products has been questioned and their wide application limited. Using soybean isoflavones (SI) as exogenous additives, alterations in citrinin production by Monascus aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 (MALA) in different media used for liquid state fermentation were investigated.

RESULTS

Results showed that the citrinin concentration was 95.98% lower than that of the control group after 16-days fermentation when 20.0 g L-1 SI were added to rice powder and inorganic salt medium. Citrinin production was reduced by 97.24% after 12-days fermentation with 10.0 g L-1 SI in starch inorganic salt medium; 82.52% after 20-days fermentation with 20.0 g L-1 SI in starch peptone medium with high starch content; 45.07% after 14-days fermentation with 5.0 g L-1 SI in starch peptone medium with low starch content; and 82.21% after 14-days fermentation with 20.0 g L-1 SI in yeast extract sucrose medium.

CONCLUSION

The developed method of removing citrinin is simple, safe, and effective, and it can be applied to reduce the citrinin content of Monascus products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Soybean Isoflavones on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Viral Protein 5 mRNA Expression in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

A total of 200 one-day-old male broilers were assigned to five groups, and each group consisted of four replicates with 10 birds per replicate. Chicks were fed the basal diet with 0 (non-infected control), 0 (infected control), 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg soybean isoflavones (SI) for 42 days. At 21 days of age, chickens were inoculated with an infectious bursal dose (causing 50% morbidity) of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) BC 6/85 strain by the eye-drop and nasal route (except for the non-infected group). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (p < 0.05) in broilers infected with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) from 22 to 42 days. However, infected broilers fed 10 and 20 mg SI/kg had the maximum (p <0.05) ADG and ADFI from 1 to 42 days. Body weight (BW) increased (p < 0.05) in infected broilers fed the 10 and 20 mg SI /kg diet. The bursa weight at 7 days post-infection (dpi) was increased (p < 0.05) by the supplemental 10 mg SI/kg diet. Infected broilers showed the highest (p < 0.05) bursa lesions, with an average score of 4.0 ± 0.0, while the severity of bursa lesions was decreased (p < 0.05) at 3 dpi and 7 dpi by the supplemental 20 mg SI/kg diet. Supplemental SI at 20 mg/kg decreased (p < 0.05) the viral protein 5 (VP5) mRNA expression at 3 dpi and 7 dpi. The level of interferon gamma (IFNγ) was elevated (p < 0.05) in the infected group at 3 dpi and 7 dpi as compared with the control group, while its level was decreased (p < 0.05) by supplemental 10 mg/kg SI at 3 dpi. The level of nuclear factor κB in the bursal tissue showed the lowest value (p < 0.05) with supplemental 10 and 20 mg SI/kg diet at 7 dpi. Supplemental 10, 20, 40 mg/kg SI improved (p < 0.05) the serum total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) in infected broilers at 3 dpi. In addition, the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased (p < 0.05) in the group fed 20 mg/kg SI at 7 dpi. In conclusion, supplemental 10~20 mg/kg SI may have a positive effect on broiler chickens infected with IBDV, probably because SI decrease the severity of bursa lesions and viral protein 5 mRNA expression, and have strong antioxidant activity.

[Effects of soybean isoflavones on the energy metabolism of swimming mice]

OBJECTIVE

To establish an animal model for loaded swimming, so as to investigate the energy metabolism effects of soybean isoflavones (SI) on swimming mice.

METHODS

Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal control, swimming group, and swimming+SI group. The normal control group mice were fed a basic AIN-93M diet, the SI groups were supplied with soybean isoflavones(4 g/kg).Two weeks later, the mice were forced to swim for an hour,and then all the mice were killed, the samples of blood, liver and muscles of hind were collected.The serum contents of lactic acid(Lac), the activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), creatine kinase (CK) and ATPase were measured.

RESULTS

Compared with normal control,the serum content of Lac was significantly improved in the group of the swimming control and SI(P<0.05),the activity of LDH in the serum was obviously improved in the group of the swimming control and SI, and the activity of CK and SDH were both significantly improved in the group of the swimming control and SI except the activity of SDH in the liver of the group SI; compared with the swimming control,the serum contents of Lac,the activities of LDH, ATPase, SDH, CK were obviously improved(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Soybean isoflavones can improve the energy metabolism,antioxidant capacity of the swimming mice.

Omega-3 versus isoflavones in the control of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women

Determine the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids versus soybean isoflavones in reducing the vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) frequency in postmenopausal women. A randomized, prospective, two-arm study was performed in healthy postmenopausal women aged 45-65. The two arms were: two capsules/day of omega-3 (425 mg of omega-3/capsule) administered orally (n = 38) and two tablets/day of soybean isoflavones (54.4 mg of isoflavones/tablet) (n = 30), over 16 weeks. The mean baseline frequency of moderate and severe VMSs per week in the omega-3 group was 24.56 and 23.90, respectively, and 19.65 and 19.51 in the isoflavone group. After 4 months, the reduction in moderate and severe hot flashes with omega-3 was significant (p < .001), whereas in the case of isoflavones, there was a significant difference in severe (p = .02) hot flashes after 4 months, but not in moderate hot flashes (p = .077). Omega-3 did not demonstrate significant efficacy differences versus isoflavones over time. The use of omega-3 has a beneficial effect on hot flash reduction after 4 months of treatment. This is comparable to the benefits found with soybean isoflavones after 3-4 weeks and after 4 months in severe hot flash women, but higher than those found with soybean isoflavones in moderate symptom women.

The inhibitory effects of soybean isoflavones on testicular cell apoptosis in mice with type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of soybean isoflavones (SI) on testicular cell apoptosis in mice with type-2 diabetes, as well as any possible mechanisms of action. Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control, diabetic (model), and treatment (SI) groups (n=10 each). After treatment for 20 weeks, testicular cell apoptosis was detected and evaluated using DAPI staining. The expression and distribution of caspase-3 protein in testicular tissues was detected via immunohistochemistry, while caspase-3 mRNA expression was detected using RT-PCR. Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression was detected by western blot analysis. At week 20, DAPI staining showed that SI treatment significantly decreased testicular tissue cell apoptosis in diabetic mice. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that caspase-3 expression in the SI group was significantly reduced relative to the model group. RT-PCR showed that SI treatment significantly decreased caspase-3 mRNA expression relative to the model group. Western blot analysis revealed that SI treatment significantly decreased Bax protein expression and increased Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.01). SI exhibited an inhibitory effect on testicular tissue cell apoptosis in mice with type 2 diabetes, with this effect possibly mediated by a decreased expression of caspase-3 and Bax and increased Bcl-2 protein expression.

Identification of key micro-organisms involved in Douchi fermentation by statistical analysis and their use in an experimental fermentation

AIMS

To screen and identify safe micro-organisms used during Douchi fermentation, and verify the feasibility of producing high-quality Douchi using these identified micro-organisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and automatic amino-acid analyser were used to investigate the microbial diversity and free amino acids (FAAs) content of 10 commercial Douchi samples. The correlations between microbial communities and FAAs were analysed by statistical analysis. Ten strains with significant positive correlation were identified. Then an experiment on Douchi fermentation by identified strains was carried out, and the nutritional composition in Douchi was analysed. Results showed that FAAs and relative content of isoflavone aglycones in verification Douchi samples were generally higher than those in commercial Douchi samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that fungi, yeasts, Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria were the key players in Douchi fermentation, and with identified probiotic micro-organisms participating in fermentation, a higher quality Douchi product was produced.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report to analyse and confirm the key micro-organisms during Douchi fermentation by statistical analysis. This work proves fermentation micro-organisms to be the key influencing factor of Douchi quality, and demonstrates the feasibility of fermenting Douchi using identified starter micro-organisms.