Effects of genistein on hot flushes in early postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind EPT- and placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

The present study confirms that genistein might have positive effects on hot flushes without a negative impact on endometrial thickness and suggests a future role of this phytoestrogen as a strategically therapeutic alternative in the management of postmenopausal symptoms.

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to soy isoflavones and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1286, 4245), maintenance of normal blood LDL cholesterol concentrations (ID 1135, 1704a, 3093a), reduction of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (ID 1654, 1704b, 2140, 3093b, 3154, 3590), maintenance of normal skin tonicity (ID 1704a), contribution to normal hair growth (ID 1704a, 4254), “cardiovascular health” (ID 3587), treatment of prostate c

“…From the remaining human intervention studies provided, either separately in the consolidated list or in the systematic reviews, seven investigated the effect of soy isoflavones on both frequency and severity of hot flushes (Albertazzi et al, 2005;D'Anna et al, 2007;Khaodhiar et al, 2008;Knight et al, 2001;Nahas et al, 2007;St Germain et al, 2001;Upmalis et al, 2000), two investigated frequency only (Crisafulli et al, 2004;Faure et al, 2002) and three severity only (Cheng et al, 2007;Han et al, 2002;Kotsopoulos et al, 2000). Three of these studies also investigated the effect of soy isoflavones on night sweats (Cheng et al, 2007;St Germain et al, 2001;Upmalis et al, 2000).…”

“…Trials were included if they measured frequency or severity of hot flushes. Six (Crisafulli et al, 2004;Faure et al, 2002;Penotti et al, 2003;Quella et al, 2000;Scambia et al, 2000;Upmalis et al, 2000) out of the 11 trials provided data for a meta-analysis. The Panel notes that this meta-analysis included a study in patients with breast cancer on tamoxifen medication (Quella et al, 2000), as well as a trial considered by the authors as being of poor quality (Scambia et al, 2000).…”

“…In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Crisafulli et al (2004), 90 post-menopausal women (47-57 years) experiencing a mean of 4.6 hot flushes per day were randomised to receive either HRT (n=30), 54 mg genistein per day (n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 12 months. The primary endpoint of the study was bone loss.…”

Endocrine-Mediated Effects of Genistein on Pups Born to Dams Fed a Phytoestrogen-Enriched Diet

“…Abnormalities in reproductive health due to a high intake of phytoestrogens have been reported in several women [2,3]. Interestingly, genistein-a type of phytoestrogen-is known to have estrogenic properties, and various hormonal effects of this compound have been reported in women [4][5][6][7][8]. In toxicity studies, endocrine-mediated effects have been reported in rat pups of dams treated with genistein during the gestational and/or lactational periods [9][10][11][12][13], but these studies used soy-free or low-phytoestrogen diets.…”

Possible Risks in Caucasians by Consumption of Isoflavones Extracts Based

“…These results, known as the "Japanese Paradox" (data collected with Japonese population), induced Western people to consume soy and soy derivatives rich in isoflavones as genistein, daidzein, glycitein and the respective glucosidic forms (genistin, daidzin and glycitin). A large number of studies have attempted to demonstrate that soy consumption decreases the risk of developing several chronic diseases, in particular, cancer, osteoporosis [4,5], cardiovascular diseases [6], and also the relief of climacteric symptoms [7]. Up until now however, the majority of these benefits have not been proven [for review see 9].…”