Effect of isolated isoflavone supplementation on ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux potential in postmenopausal women.

Objective: Isoflavones may display beneficial health effects in postmenopausal women. We studied in a clinical trial whether isolated isoflavone treatment in postmenopausal women could affect reverse cholesterol transport as evaluated by adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A1- (ABCA1), dependent cholesterol efflux from macrophages. In addition, various serum lipid and lipoprotein parameters were investigated.

Serum cholesterol efflux potential in postmenopausal women treated with isolated isoflavones.

Objective: Based on the low cardiovascular risk in Asian populations, phytoestrogens are believed to provide vascular benefits. To elucidate the mechanisms behind the possible cardiovascular effects of phytoestrogens, we evaluated reverse cholesterol transport by assessing the capacity of serum to promote cholesterol efflux in postmenopausal women treated with isolated isoflavones.

Design: Thirty postmenopausal women were treated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with isoflavones or placebo for 3 months interrupted by a 2-month washout period.

Lack of effect of isoflavonoids on the vagina and endometrium in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To determine the effects of soy-derived isoflavones on vaginal epithelium and the endometrium.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a university hospital.

Effects of isolated isoflavonoids on lipids, lipoproteins, insulin sensitivity, and ghrelin in postmenopausal women.

The low cardiovascular risk in Asian women has been thought to result from high isoflavonoid intake. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we studied the effects of isolated isoflavonoids (114 mg/d) on lipids, lipoproteins, insulin sensitivity, and ghrelin in 56 nondiabetic postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer. Isoflavonoid or placebo tablets were given for 3 months, and the treatment regimens crossed over after a 2-month washout period.

Changes in bone mineral density during and after 3 years' use of tamoxifen or toremifene.

Objectives: To study the effects of tamoxifen and toremifene on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Methods: Seventy patients with stage II-III breast cancer were randomized to start either tamoxifen (n = 36; 20 mg per day) or toremifene (n = 34; 40 mg per day) for 3 years. BMD in the lumbar spine and in the proximal femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry both before and during the treatment and 1 year after the discontinuation of the anti-estrogens.

Effects of phytoestrogens on bone turnover in postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer.

High phytoestrogen intake among Asian women has been thought to explain the low risk of bone fractures in these populations. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial we studied the effects of isoflavonoids on urinary output of the N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, pyridinoline (Pyr), and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) (bone resorption markers) and serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and N-terminal and C-terminal procollagen type I (bone formation markers). Fifty-five postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer used phytoestrogens (114 mg of isoflavonoids) or placebo tablets daily for 3 months; the treatment regimens were then crossed over after a 2-month washout period.

A randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial with phytoestrogens in treatment of menopause in breast cancer patients.

Objective: Phytoestrogens are popular in treatment of menopause, although scientific evidence is insufficient as to their efficacy. We studied the effects of daily use of isoflavonoids on climacteric symptoms and quality of life in patients with a history of breast cancer.

Methods: Sixty-two postmenopausal symptomatic women were randomized to use either phytoestrogen (tablets containing 114 mg of isoflavonoids) or a placebo for 3 months; the treatment regimens were reversed after a 2-month washout period.