Daidzein promotes the expression of oxidative phosphorylation- and fatty acid oxidation-related genes via an estrogen-related receptor α pathway to decrease lipid accumulation in muscle cells.

Estrogen-related receptor (ERR)α regulates genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in muscle. The soy isoflavone daidzein was reported to be a putative ERRα activator, but little is known about its effects on gene expression and FA metabolism. This study aimed to clarify whether daidzein affects FAO- and OXPHOS-related genes thereby modulating intracellular FA metabolism in muscle cells.