Administration Of Phytoestrogens Research Articles

Effect of polar fractions of Marsilea crenata C. Presl. leaves in zebrafish locomotor activity.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are pathological conditions initiated by the loss of neuronal cell structure and the progressive decline in function caused by prolonged neuroinflammation. Postmenopausal women are at a high risk of experiencing NDs due to estrogen deficiency in their bodies, necessitating the administration of phytoestrogens as a replacement for estrogen in the body. One alternative therapy is administering phytoestrogens, estrogen-like substances from plants, which can be obtained from Marsilea crenata C. Presl. leaves. The purpose of this study was to determine whether administration of the n-butanol fraction (BF) and water fraction (WF) of M. crenata leaves could increase locomotor activity in rotenone-induced zebrafish. Treatment was given to each group of zebrafish with BF and WF at doses of 2.5; 5; 10; and 20 ppm to determine the locomotor activity. Then an analysis was carried out by looking at each movement of the zebrafish swimming for 1 min at the time of observation on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The result showed that BF and WF significantly increased the locomotor activity of zebrafish at the optimum dose of 20 ppm for BF and 5 ppm for WF compared to the negative control. This concludes that the polar fraction of M. crenata leaves is proven to have the potential to prevent ND progressivity.

Role of Phytoestrogen in Menopausal Women With Depressive Symptoms: A Consecutive Case Series Study.

Introduction During menopause, healthy women experience a diverse aggregate of clinical manifestations and symptoms that relate to hormonal and aging changes. These alterations are strictly associated with psychological disorders, mainly depression. Estrogen treatment may be effective for these mood variations caused by menopause. Aim To demonstrate the impact of phytoestrogen treatment in menopausal women with depressive symptoms. Methods The study is a consecutive case series study, with a six-month follow-up. It was conducted in a private consultant endocrinologist clinic in Trikala, Greece. A total of 108 eligible participants aged from 45 and above experiencing depressive symptoms were included. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire for depressive symptoms was measured at three time points (t=0, t=3 months, t=6 months) and the means were analyzed and compared to each other. Results The overall mean BDI-II scores reveal that depressive symptoms constantly and gradually decreased over time, with the numbers of postmenopausal women experiencing minimal or mild depression and moderate depression, as tested at baseline and study completion (before and after phytoestrogen use), being inversely proportional. Conclusion Phytoestrogen administration to menopausal women is indicated to reduce depression symptoms. More research in the area is needed to reach definite conclusions.

Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (Runx2) Measurement in Phytoestrogen-Induced Bone: A Comparison of Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry Methods

Estrogen deficiency can contribute to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Phytoestrogens are becoming more widely recognized as potential estrogen replacement therapy. The administration of phytoestrogens can cause bone formation, which is marked by an increase in Runx2 expression in osteoblast cells and can be seen using western blot and immunohistochemistry approaches. This review aimed to compare the detection methods of Runx2 in phytoestrogen-induced bone tissue using western blots and immunohistochemistry. Selectivity, sensitivity, processing time, and cost-effectiveness were the parameters that were compared. This review was done by identifying articles in several databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct). The process of selecting the articles used the PRISMA guidelines to create a flowchart with inclusion and exclusion study criteria. Meta-synthesis was done to analyze, identify, and interpret all of the data in the articles systematically. 70 articles in total were obtained from the selection process, with 21 articles being relevant to the topic. The result shows that the selectivity and sensitivity of western blot for detecting Runx2 on tissue were 93.5–100%, respectively, whereas immunohistochemistry selectivity and sensitivity were 45–99.5%, respectively. Compared to immunohistochemistry, western blot can save up to 57.26%. Immunohistochemistry takes 46 hours to process, while Western blot takes 25 hours and 20 minutes. In comparison to immunohistochemistry, the western blot is more selective, sensitive, rapid and affordable for detecting Runx2 in bone tissue.

Особливості розвитку репродуктивної системи щурів нащадків чоловічої статі, що народжені від батька, який до спаровування отримував фітоестрогени

The purpose of the study was the research of the influence of rats father's excessive consumption of phytoestrogens on somato-sexual development and reproductive function of male offspring. Materials and methods. Male parents were fed with a mixture of phytoestrogens before mating with intact females at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight for 30 days. In reproductive animals, reproductive function was studied for such characteristics as sexual behavior, fertility, spermogram, the mass of androgen-dependent organs was determined, and the level of sex hormones was determined. Experimental parents were divided into two groups: 1) intact, 2) males who received excess phytoestrogens. After the birth of male offspring from these parents, their reproductive system was examined. Results and discussion. Prolonged administration of phytoestrogens to mature male parents (parents) causes absolute and relative hyperestrogenism (five-fold increase in E2 and vice versa reduction of T/E2 three-fold), which leads to a decrease in copulatory activity (reduction of the number of nurseries and intromissions by 28%), violation of spermatogenesis (reduction of sperm concentration by 39%, doubling the proportion of abnormal forms), at the same time does not affect the reproductive potential of male who were born to fathers who received an excess consumption of phytoestrogens. The presence of excess compounds with estrogenic activity in the diet of adult males in the preconsumption period leads to the birth of male offspring, which have reduced testosterone levels (25%) in the critical period of sexual differentiation of the brain (5 days of life). Descendants of the male sex of the phytoestrogenized father have a normal course of somatic development but are characterized by impaired sexual development (less anogenital distance by 13%) and delayed lowering of the testicles into the scrotum, lower body weight in adulthood (28.2% in 150 day rats). Reproductive function of the offspring of phytoestrogenized father is characterized by differences in sexual behavior: less copulatory activity – 50%, less number intromission, the number of males with ejaculation is 10%; delayed sexual reactions; and lower reproductive potential (two-fold reduction of the integrated indicator of potential fertility of animals). Decreased reproductive potential of the offspring, who were born to fathers who received an excess consumption of phytoestrogens, occurs due to a decrease in the proportion of effective fertilization (pregnant females among those fertilized only 60%), indicating negative changes in sperm, the development of which, starting from the stage of spermatocytes, occurred in conditions of absolute and relative hyperestrogenism. Conclusion. The male who were born to fathers who received an excess consumption of phytoestrogens, have complications in the functioning of the reproductive system

Icariin Treatment Enhanced the Skeletal Response to Exercise in Estrogen-Deficient Rats.

Estrogen deficiency frequently leads to a fall in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) numbers and then reduces the skeletal response to mechanical strain. It, however, is still unclear whether phytoestrogen administration will enhance the effects of exercise on the estrogen-deficient bone loss. This study aimed to determine the effect of Icariin treatment on the response of osteogenic formation to exercise in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty-two 3-month old female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: (1) Sham-operated (SO); (2) OVX; (3) OVX plus exercise (EX); and (4) OVX plus exercise and Icariin (EI). After 8-week interventions, the rats were killed and samples were collected for bone morphometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot analyses. EI interventions showed a greater improvement for the OVX-induced bone loss and the elevated serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared with EX only. Both EX and EI interventions bettered the OVX-related reduction of BV/TV and trabecular number and thickness, and decreased the enlargement of trabecular bone separation (Tb. Sp); the improvement for BV/TV and Tb. Sp was greater in EI group. Furthermore, EX and EI treatment significantly increased the number of ALP+ cells and mineralized nodule areas compared with OVX group; the change was higher in EI group. Additionally, in comparison to OVX rats, the protein and mRNA expression of β-catenin, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) or Akt, ERα, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in osteoblasts were elevated in EX and EI intervention rats, with greater change observed in EI group. The upregulated β-catenin and Akt mRNA levels in EX and EI groups was depressed by ICI182780 treatment, and the difference in β-catenin and Akt mRNA levels between EX and EI groups was no longer significant. Conclusively, the combination of Icariin and exercise significantly prevent OVX-induced bone loss and increase osteoblast differentiation and the ability of mineralization compared with exercise alone; the changes might be regulated partly by ERα/Akt/β-catenin pathway.

Complete Regression of the Adenomatous Polyps in a Patient affected by Familial Adenomatous Polyposis after Prolonged Administration of Phytoestrogens and Sulindac

Complete Regression of the Adenomatous Polyps in a Patient affected by Familial Adenomatous Polyposis after Prolonged Administration of Phytoestrogens and Sulindac

Phytoestrogens inhibit key-enzymes linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and liver-kidney toxicity in high fructose-fat diet in mice

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the administration of phytoestrogens on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and liver-kidney toxicity.Methods: Phytoestrogens (phyto(E2)) were administrated to high fructose-fat diet (HFFD).Results: This study showed that administration of phyto(E2) to HFFD-mice inhibited lipase activity by 34%, decreased body weight by 20% and modulated lipid profile, showed a decrease in total-cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) rates in the plasma by 59% and 42%, respectively, and increased the HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) level by 31%. In addition, the administration of phytoestrogens to HFFD-mice exerts an inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity and decreased glucose level by 28% and increase in liver glycogen level by 33%; and ameliorate oral glucose tolerance test.Conclusions: This study demonstrate that phyto(E2) has both a promising potential with regards to the inhibition of intestinal lipase and α-amylase activities, and a valuable hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic function.

Metabolism and health effects of phyto-estrogens

ABSTRACTPhyto-estrogens are plant-derived compounds that can exert various estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, and are usually used as a natural alternative to estrogen replacement due to their health benefits, including a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and menopausal symptoms. Phyto-estrogens are also considered as endocrine disruptors due to their structure similar to human female hormone 17-β oestradiol. However, the issue of whether phyto-estrogens are beneficial or harmful to human health remains unknown, as this may depend on the dose, form, level and duration of administration of phyto-estrogens, and influence by genetics, metabolism, gut physiology, age, diet, and the health status of individuals. Clarification on this issue is necessary for the sake of their two-side effects on human health and rapidly increasing global consumption of phyto-estrogens. This review mainly includes the metabolism of phyto-estrogens and weighs the evidence for and against the purported health benefits and adverse effects of phyto-estrogens.

Beneficial effects of phytoestrogens and their metabolites produced by intestinal microflora on bone health

Phytoestrogens are a class of bioactive compounds derived from plants and exert various estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Estrogen deficiency osteoporosis has become a serious problem in elderly women. The use of ovariectomized (OVX) rat or mice models to simulate the postmenopausal condition is well established. This review aimed to clarify the sources, biochemistry, absorption, metabolism, and mode of action of phytoestrogens on bone health in intervention studies. In vitro, phytoestrogens promote protein synthesis, osteoprotegerin/receptor activation of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand ratio, and mineralization by osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1). In the OVX murine model, administration of phytoestrogens can inhibit differentiation and activation of osteoclasts, expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and secretion of pyridinoline compound. Phytoestrogens also enhance bone formation and increase bone mineral density and levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and α1(I) collagen. Results of mechanistic studies have indicated that phytoestrogens suppress the rate of bone resorption and enhance the rate of bone formation.

Dietary, Endocrine, and Metabolic Factors in the Development of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third cause of death in industrialized countries. Genetic susceptibility and diet are determinant of cancer risk and tumor behavior. Variation in cancer incidence among and within populations with similar dietary patterns suggests that an individual response may reflect interactions with genetic factors, which may modify gene, protein, and metabolite expression patterns. Nutrigenomics, defined as the interaction between nutrition and an individual genome, will likely provide important clues about responders and non-responders to nutritional intervention. Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest a protective role of some normal components of daily diet (fish oil, milk, and vegetables), estrogens, and phytoestrogens in colorectal cancer. The effect of estrogen seems to be mediated by their binding to estrogen receptor beta (ER-β), one of the two estrogen receptors with high affinity for these hormones. Very recently, the demonstration of an involvement of ER-β in the development of adenomatous polyps of the colon has also been documented, suggesting the use of selective ER-β agonists in primary colorectal cancer prevention. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that structurally and functionally act as estrogen agonists in mammals. They are characterized by a higher binding affinity to ER-β as compared to estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), the other estrogen receptor subtype. These biological characteristics explain why the administration of phytoestrogens does not produce the classical side effects associated to estrogen administration (cerebro- and cardiovascular accidents, higher incidence of endometrial and breast cancer) and makes these substances potential candidates for colorectal cancer prevention.

Changes in male reproductive system and mineral metabolism induced by soy isoflavones administered to rats from prenatal life until sexual maturity

Objective This study aimed to determine the influence of high-dose soy isoflavones (daidzein and genistein) administered from prenatal life to sexual maturity on testosterone and estradiol levels, testicular and epididymal morphology, the number of epididymal spermatozoa, and mineral metabolism in rats. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats received orally soy isoflavones, daidzein, and genistein at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight per day. After separating sucklings from their mothers, male rats received the same dose of isoflavones until reaching the age of sexual maturity, i.e., for 3 mo. Results In the isoflavone-treated group, statistically significant decreased concentrations of zinc (determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry) in blood serum and increased concentrations in bone were observed. The isoflavones induced changes in the morphology of the seminiferous epithelium of rat testes. However, there were no significant changes in the number of spermatozoa in the epididymis. The levels of estradiol in serum and cauda epididymis homogenates of rats receiving phytoestrogens were significantly higher than in the control group. No differences were observed in testosterone concentrations in the serum of treated and control rats. The testosterone levels in the homogenates of the treated rat testes were significantly lower than in the control group. Conclusion The relatively mild effects of phytoestrogen administration on the morphology of testes and epididymides and the number of epididymal spermatozoa were observed despite the high dose used. The exposure of rats to genistein and daidzein during intrauterine life until sexual maturity influenced the mineral metabolism of the organism by significant decreases of Zn concentration in serum and increased Zn concentration in bones.

Comparison of urodynamic effects of phytoestrogens equol, puerarin and genistein with these of estradiol 17β in ovariectomized rats

Whether urinary incontinence in the postmenopause can be prevented or delayed by estrogens is currently controversially debated. Ovariectomized (ovx) rats have been successfully used as models in the past years but plant derived substances with estrogenic effects in the lower urinary tract have not been studied so far. Therefore we compared the effects of a 3 months lasting oral administration of estradiol 17β (E2) with those of the phytoestrogens equol, genistein and puerarin. They were ovariectomized, fed with test substance containing food and then anaesthetized and catheterized with a biluminal catheter having one outlet in the bladder and another in the urethra at the level of the urethral sphincter. Urethral and bladder pressure were recorded during a 240 s period of retrograde bladder filling (2 × 0.5 ml within 30 s with 1 min filling intermission). Bladder and urethra pressures were highest in the E2 > puerarin > equol > genistein treated animals. Phytoestrogen and E2 treatment resulted in consistently higher urethral than the bladder pressures during the filling period and in the filled status whereas bladder often exceeded urethral pressures in ovx controls. In summary, we demonstrate significant improvement of urethral closure mechanism under E2 and phytoestrogen administration that can be assumed to be beneficial for prevention or therapy of postmenopausal urge incontinence.

Estrogens, phytoestrogens and colorectal neoproliferative lesions

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest a protective role of estrogens against colorectal cancer. This effect seems to be mediated by their binding to estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta), one of the two estrogen receptors with high affinity for these hormones. Very recently, the demonstration of an involvement of ER-beta in the development of adenomatous polyps of the colon has also been documented, suggesting the use of selective ER-beta agonists in primary colorectal cancer prevention. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that structurally and functionally act as estrogen-agonists in mammals. They are characterized by a higher binding affinity to ER-beta as compared to estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha), the other estrogen receptor subtype. These biological characteristics explain why the administration of phytoestrogens does not produce the classical side effects associated to estrogen administration (cerebro- and cardio-vascular accidents, higher incidence of endometrial and breast cancer) and makes these substances ideal candidates for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Is there a role for soy isoflavones in the therapeutic approach to polycystic ovary syndrome? Results from a pilot study

To evaluate the effect of the soy isoflavone genistein on the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we studied a group of obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women presenting this syndrome during 6 months of phytoestrogen administration. Pilot prospective study. Operative division of endocrinological gynecology in a university hospital. Twelve Caucasian obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women with PCOS. Patients received 36 mg/d of genistein for 6 months. Ultrasonographic pelvic exams, hormonal and lipid features, oral glucose tolerance test, and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Basal hormonal assays, lipid profile, and glycoinsulinemic assessment. Phytoestrogens supplementation significantly improved total cholesterol levels, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and resulting in a significant decrease in the LDL-high-density lipoprotein ratio (LDL-HDL). Triglycerides showed a trend toward decrease, whereas no changes were detected in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Genistein treatment did not significantly affect anthropometric features, the hormonal milieu, and menstrual cyclicity. No significant changes occurred in glycoinsulinemic metabolism. The possible advantages derived from the therapeutic use of phytoestrogens in PCOS are limited to improvement of the lipidic assessment.

The effects of subterranean clover phytoestrogens on sheep growth, reproduction and carcass characteristics

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a prolonged administration of phytoestrogens on sheep growth rate, female reproductive response, lamb carcass conformation and meat quality. To investigate these effects, two groups of Comisana sheep (24 females and 20 males, initial average live weights of 25.0 and 29.9 kg, respectively) were fed on subterranean clover (SC, phytoestrogen content = 0.8 mg/g of DM) and Italian ryegrass (C, non-oestrogenic control diet) for about one year. Feedstuffs were offered ad libitum and supplemented with maize grain and sunflower meal to maintain an adequate and similar energy and protein intake. The results demonstrated that the prolonged administration of the selected subterranean clover cultivars, with low formononetin content (lower than 10% of total isoflavones on dry basis), did not affect ewe reproduction but induced a significant improvement in animal weigh gain and, in males, good carcass and meat characteristics.

Effects of estrogens and the phytoestrogen genistein on adipogenesis and lipogenesis in males and females

Effects of estrogens and the phytoestrogen genistein on adipogenesis and lipogenesis in males and females

Genistein, a Phytoestrogen, Effectively Modulates Luteinizing Hormone and Prolactin Secretion in Ovariectomized Ewes during Seasonal Anestrus

Through binding with estrogen receptors, phytoestrogens, plant-derived estrogen-like compounds, affect numerous reproductive functions. It is not known whether these compounds are capable of evoking effective changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion in ewes by acting directly within the central nervous system (CNS). The hypothesis studied was that genistein, infused for several hours into the third ventricle, could immediately affect LH and PRL secretion in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes during seasonal anestrus. Two doses of genistein, 1 µg/100 µl/h (total 4 µg, n = 7) and 10 µg/100 µl/h (total 40 µg, n = 7), were infused intracerebroventricularly from 12.00 to 16.00 h and blood samples were collected from 8.00 to 20.00 h at 10-min intervals. Randomly selected ewes were infused with a vehicle (control, n = 5). The mean plasma LH concentration in control ewes was significantly (p < 0.01) higher during infusion of the vehicle than before the infusion. It remained on an insignificantly changed level after the infusion. The frequency of LH pulses in control ewes did not differ significantly before, during, or after vehicle infusion. In ewes infused with a lower dose of genistein, plasma LH concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after the infusion, as compared with the values noted before and during genistein infusion. Only a tendency towards a decrease in LH pulse frequency occurred after infusion of a lower dose of genistein. In ewes infused with a higher dose of genistein, the plasma LH concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.01) after phytoestrogen administration as compared with the values noted before and during infusion. The frequency of LH pulses was also significantly (p < 0.01) lower after genistein administration. Because the changes in PRL secretion were more dynamic in response to genistein infusion, the statistical analysis included 2-hour periods. The mean plasma PRL concentration in control animals was significantly enhanced (p < 0.01) only during the first 2-hour period of sampling. After that it decreased and remained on an unchanged level up to the end of sampling. Similar changes in PRL secretion were observed in both experimental groups before genistein infusion. In contrast, significant (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) increases in PRL concentration were noted regularly during and shortly after the genistein infusion in either low-dose or high-dose genistein-infused ewes, compared with the concentrations noted before genistein treatment. Plasma PRL concentrations during and after genistein infusion in both experimental groups were also significantly higher than the control (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). The presented data demonstrate that genistein, a phytoestrogen, may effectively modulate LH and PRL secretion in OVX ewes by acting within the CNS.

Effects of phytoestrogens on DNA synthesis and creatine kinase activity in vascular cells

Background The aim of this study was to assess the effect of phytoestrogens on the human vascular wall in vitro. Methods We compared the effects of E 2 to those of genistein (G), daidzein (D), biochanin A (BA), equol (EQ), and quecertin (Qu) on 3[H] thymidine incorporation and creatine phosphokinase (CK) activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and in a human endothelial cell line (E304). Results In VSMC, E 2, the estrogen antagonist raloxifene (RAL), G, and D stimulated DNA synthesis at low concentrations and suppressed 3[H] thymidine incorporation at higher concentrations. In contrast, BA and EQ had a monophasic stimulatory effect on 3[H] thymidine incorporation (87% ± 9% and 54% ± 17%, respectively) whereas Qu had only an inhibitory effect (−36 ± 16% at 30 nmol/L). In E304 cells, all phytoestrogens stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose-related manner. In both cell types E 2, RAL as well as all phytoestrogens increased CK-specific activity. The administration of phytoestrogens to immature female rats resulted in increased CK in the aorta (Ao) (60% to 220%) and in the left ventricle of the heart (Lv) (45% to 160%). Similar increases in Ao and Lv CK were also induced by E 2 and all five phytoestrogens in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. RAL antagonized phytoestrogen-induced CK activity in human vascular cells and in the rat Ao and Lv tissue but did not block phytoestrogen effects on DNA synthesis in human VSMC. Conclusions Although phytoestrogens have estrogen-mimetic effects on cell growth and CK in cultured human vascular cells and on CK in rat vascular tissues in vivo, the effects on human VSMC replication are highly dependent on the concentration and the particular phytoestrogen under investigation.