Phytoestrogens. Friends or foes?

Barrett, Julia R.

doi:10.1289/ehp.96104478

Cited by 24 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Genistein is a dietary-derived plant isoflavone that belongs to the naturally occurring class of compounds called phytoestrogens [1]. The main source of genistein for humans and animals is soya and its products [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genistein-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats

Nogowski¹,

Maćkowiak²,

Kandulska³

et al. 1998

Ann Nutr Metab

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The effect of the isoflavone, genistein, on the lipid metabolism of ovariectomized rats was studied. Three types of experiments were performed. In the first one, the rats were fed diets supplemented with 0.01 or 0.1% of genistein for 14 days. In the second and third experiments, the direct effect of genistein on the liver and fat tissue were measured respectively by means of liver perfusion or incubation of isolated adipocytes with the isoflavone. Genistein in food significantly decreased blood serum and muscle triglyceride concentrations and increased the level of free fatty acids in serum. Serum free cholesterol was diminished and liver cholesterol was enhanced after genistein ingestion. When genistein acted directly on the liver during perfusion, a smaller incorporation of ¹⁴C-glucose into lipids was observed, and in parallel a greater output of free fatty acids into the medium was noticed. These changes were accompanied by diminution of the liver triglyceride contents. Genistein, acting on the adipocytes strongly depressed both basal and insulin-induced lipid synthesis, when glucose was used as a substrate. The effect of the isoflavone alone on the lipolysis in the adipocytes was negligible. However, it intensified lipolysis induced by epinephrine. The results obtained let us conclude that genistein in food can reduce the fattening processes in ovariectomized rats. This effect of genistein may be attributed, at least in part, to its direct influence on lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genistein-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats

Nogowski¹,

Maćkowiak²,

Kandulska³

et al. 1998

Ann Nutr Metab

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show abstract

“…They have some structural similarity to both natural and synthetic estrogens and can exert various biological e!ects in cell culture systems, animals, and humans. Some studies have suggested their potential role in preventing menopausal symptoms and reducing the incidence of certain cancers (i.e., breast, colon, prostate, stomach, and rectal cancer) (Kurzer and Xu, 1997;Murkies et al, 1998;Murkies, 1998;Waddell, 1998;You et al, 1988;Messina et al, 1994;Barnes et al, 1994;Barrett, 1996;Hu et al, 1991).…”

Section: Substances Reportedly Associated With Endocrine Modulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of Endocrine Modulators: Implications for Human Health

Juberg¹

2000

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

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“…Conversely, some plant estrogens appear to exert beneficial effects. E.g., the isoflavones diadzein and genistein (found in soy), may reduce the risk for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women [24].…”

Section: Other Environmental Estrogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Endocrine Disruption by Environmental Xenobiotics that Modulate the Estrogen-Signaling Pathway, Particularly Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)

Reinhold

1999

Journal of Reproduction and Development

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Abstract. Environmental pollutants are known to exert endocrine-disrupting effects on several hormonal axes of animals, including reproduction and development. Many of these xenobiotics modulate the estrogen-receptor signaling pathway(s) in agonistic or antagonistic ways. Some of the compounds are themselves estrogenic (so-called xenoestrogens, environmental estrogens, or ecoestrogens), and are classified as synthetic estrogens, phyto-or fungal estrogens, alkylphenol ethoxylates; certain non-coplanar polyclorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etc. Other molecules are antiandrogenic, e.g., p,p'-dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE); while still others disrupt estrogen function in a manner that is dose, species and tissue specific, e.g., certain co-planar PCBs and dioxin-like molecules (e.g., tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD]). Exposure to some compounds has been correlated with skewing of sex ratios in aquatic species, and feminization and demasculinization of male animals; declines in human sperm counts; and overall diminution in fertility of birds, fish, and mammals. This review will cover these various xenobiotics and evaluate them for their estrogen-modulating effects; and then further concentrate on TCDD specifically. Dioxins are produced as by-products of herbicide overuse, from paper bleaching, plastics manufacture, and waste incineration. TCDD has been correlated with altered fecundity and endometriosis in monkeys, and with certain cancers in experimental animals and humans. TCDD is also correlated with reproductive deficits in many laboratory species. In summary, we believe that some of the reproductive deficits from endocrine-disrupting xenobiotics may be attributable to the modulation of the estrogen-signaling pathway, in positive and negative manners, depending on dose, species, and tissue specificity.

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Phytoestrogens. Friends or foes?

Cited by 24 publications

References 1 publication

Genistein-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats

Genistein-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Ovariectomized Rats

An Evaluation of Endocrine Modulators: Implications for Human Health

Reproductive Endocrine Disruption by Environmental Xenobiotics that Modulate the Estrogen-Signaling Pathway, Particularly Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)

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