Soy isoflavones supplementation alleviates disease severity in autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice

Abstract

Soy isoflavones supplements, which are phyto-oestrogens widely used as alternatives to alleviate menopausal syndromes or prevent chronic diseases, may exert oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of soy isoflavones supplement on oestrogen-related autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, using autoimmune-prone female MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Eighty mice of 8 weeks were divided into five groups: 0 (Control), 2 (Isf 2), 10 (Isf 10) and 20 (Isf 20) mg/kg BW/day Phyto Soya isoflavones or 0.375 mg/kg BW/day tamoxifen (TAM) as the positive control, by tube-feeding. Some mice were killed at age 15 weeks for cellular cytokine secretion. The data suggested that the Isf 20 and TAM groups had higher weight gain and survival compared with the control group. At age 22 weeks, the Isf 20 group still had 75% survival comparable to mice treated with TAM. At age 14 weeks, the TAM group showed significantly lower serum anti-double-stranded (ds) DNA IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG. The mice in the Isf 10 and Isf 20 groups also had lower anti-dsDNA IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG. The interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion from mitogen-stimulated T cells in the Isf 20 and TAM groups were significantly lower than those of control mice. Furthermore, the oestrogenic activity of the methanol extracts of soy isoflavones for oestrogen receptor (ER)beta, but not ERalpha, significantly increased, suggesting that soy isoflavones have a selective modulation of ER activation. Thus, soy isoflavone supplementation did not aggravate murine lupus, but apparently ameliorated the disease.

Dieta e aspectos nutricionais no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

“…Because soybean-based foods have high levels of isofl avones, whose structure is similar to that of 17β-estradiol (E2), they have estrogenic effects and reduce proteinuria and the renal lesions associated with progressive renal failure. 17,32 However, potent adverse effects of isofl avones on the immune response of mice have also been reported. 33 Zhao et al 33 have reported that a soybean-rich diet can exacerbate renal damages, increasing serum creatinine and reducing the creatinine clearance, which increase the severity of the glomerular disease in MPL/lpr mice.…”

“…The results have shown that soybean can accelerate glomerulonephritis, but improves the proliferative function of T cells. 33 On the other hand, Hong et al 32 have shown that the supplementation with isofl avones increased the survival of SLE murine models, inhibiting the production of autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin), and reducing the secretion of IFN-γ. Those authors have also reported that isofl avones have anti-infl ammatory properties and antioxidant effects.…”

“…Those authors have also reported that isofl avones have anti-infl ammatory properties and antioxidant effects. 17,32…”

“…Better immune function Delay in autoimmunity 8,20 Supplementation with royal jelly Immunomodulatory and anti-infl ammatory effect ↓ cholesterol ↓ serum levels of IL-10 ↓ SLE symptoms (experimental) 29 Anti-infl ammatory and antioxidant effects 17,32 ↓ autoantibody production (anti-dsDNA) 17,32 ↓ IFN-γ secretion ↓ proteinuria Prevents hypercholesterolemia (experimental) 17,34 ↓ cell apoptosis 34 Protective effect against free radicals 36 ↓ oxidative stress ↓ infl ammatory cytokines and apoptosis 35 ↓ lipids and lipid oxidation (experimental) 35,37 Excessive consumption Greater bone mineral loss ↓ creatinine clearance in chronic renal failure in SLE (content > 0.6 g/kg/day) 30 ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids…”

Advances in Soybean and Soybean By-Products in Monogastric Nutrition and Health

“…On the other hand, soy isoflavones supplements, which are phyto-oestrogens widely used as alternatives to alleviate menopausal syndromes or prevent chronic diseases, may exert oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic activities. Hong et al (2008) reported a significant increase in the oestrogenic activity of the methanol extracts of soy isoflavones for oestrogen receptor (ER) , but not (ER) , suggesting that soy isoflavones have a selective modulation of ER activation. The soy isoflavone supplementation did not aggravate murine lupus, but apparently ameliorated the disease.…”