Anti-diabetic functions of soy isoflavone genistein: mechanisms underlying its effects on pancreatic β-cell function

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a result of chronic insulin resistance and loss of functional pancreatic β-cell mass. Strategies to preserve β-cell mass and a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying β-cell turnover are needed to prevent and treat this devastating disease. Genistein, a naturally-occurring soy isoflavone, is reported to have numerous health benefits attributed to multiple biological functions. Over the past 10 years, numerous studies have demonstrated that genistein has anti-diabetic effects, in particular, direct effects on β-cell proliferation, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and protection against apoptosis, independent of its functions as an estrogen receptor agonist, antioxidant, or tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Effects are structure-specific and not common to all flavonoids. While there are limited data on the effects of genistein consumption in humans with diabetes, there are a plethora of animal and cell-culture studies that demonstrate, at physiologically-relevant concentrations (<10 µM), a direct effect of genistein on β-cells. The effects appear to involve cAMP/PKA signaling and there are some studies that suggest an effect on epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This review focuses on the anti-diabetic effects of genistein in both in-vitro and in-vivo models and potential mechanisms underlying its direct effects on β-cells.

Metformin and soybean-derived bioactive molecules attenuate the expansion of stem cell-like epithelial subpopulation and confer apoptotic sensitivity in human colon cancer cells

“…Nevertheless, the potential interactions of MET and bioactive dietary components with known antitumor activities for CRC prevention and treatment, and specifically in the context of targeting CSC, have not been delineated. The importance of the latter is underscored by recent reports that dietary factors including the soy isoflavone genistein (Gen) (Montales et al 2012;Rahal et al 2013), polyphenolic compounds present in blueberries (Montales et al 2012), curcumin (Kakarala et al 2010), and resveratrol (Kao et al 2009), all of which have been reported to possess anti-metabolic/anti-diabetic properties (Gilbert and Liu 2013;Valsecchi 2013;Yeh et al 2014;Rouse et al 2014), can inhibit expansion of basal stem-like mammary cells with tumorigenic potential.…”

S-Equol Enantioselectively Activates cAMP-Protein Kinase A Signaling and Reduces Alloxan-Induced Cell Death in INS-1 Pancreatic ^|^beta;-Cells

“…Equol was recently found to have an antihyperglycemic effect in T2DM model mice (27) although its effect on b-cell function remains unclear. The soy isoflavone genistein has been proposed as an agent to protect b-cell function and to prevent b-cell injury (28)(29)(30)(31). The present results show that S-equol is another soy derivative that might have applications in preventing T2DM through increasing the viability of pancreatic b-cells.…”

Fiber and sugar contents in vegetables prescribed and consumed by diabetics in Kisangani

“…Dietary fibers of these suggested vegetables and fruits stimulate the secretion of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, this hormone is responsible for increasing the secretion of insulin and prevents the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas (Ramon, 2009). Similarly Gilbert & Liu (2013) reported the presence of a flavonoid Genistein from soy; this flavonoid has similar effects in reducing the effect of diabetic. Antioxidant nutrients can reduce chronic disorders and dia betes complications by inhibiting the oxidation reactions of organic molecules ( Savini et al, 2013).…”

“…Strategies to retain these cells are require d in the prevention and treatment of this devastating disea se (Gilbert & Liu, 2013). Prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased all over the world (Kobayashi et al, 2013) and is considered a s a gro wing threat to global health it is the most current endocrine disease (T ol et al, 2013).…”