Abstract
Isoflavones, rich in soybean, are currently receiving much attention because of their potential role in preventing and treating cancer and other human chronic diseases. The present review provides an overview of the recent results in this research field. Data from epidemiological reports and laboratories have shown that isoflavones have multi-biological and pharmacological effects in animals and humans. These include estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, cell signalling conduction, as well as cell growth and death. Based on these properties, soy protein and isoflavones have been associated with reduced incidences of breast and prostate cancers, cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis, and exhibit some other favorable effects. The mechanism through which isoflavones may exert the above-mentioned functions are not only based on the estrogenic properties of isoflavones, but also on their role as protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as regulators of gene transcription, modulators of transcription factors, antioxidants, as well as by altering some enzyme activities. However, to draw a clear conclusion regarding the clinical use of isoflavones further investigation would be required, although only a few effects of short- or longterm use of soy proteins are known in humans.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 135-146 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | European Journal of Nutrition |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2001 |
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Keywords
- Cancer
- Cholesterol
- Estrogen receptor
- Isoflavones
- Soy protein
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Nutrition and Dietetics
Cite this
Isoflavones, substances with multi-biological and clinical properties. / Ren, Mingqiang; Kuhn, Gerda; Wegner, Jochen; Chen, Jie.
In: European Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 40, No. 4, 01.01.2001, p. 135-146.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Isoflavones, substances with multi-biological and clinical properties
AU - Ren, Mingqiang
AU - Kuhn, Gerda
AU - Wegner, Jochen
AU - Chen, Jie
PY - 2001/1/1
Y1 - 2001/1/1
N2 - Isoflavones, rich in soybean, are currently receiving much attention because of their potential role in preventing and treating cancer and other human chronic diseases. The present review provides an overview of the recent results in this research field. Data from epidemiological reports and laboratories have shown that isoflavones have multi-biological and pharmacological effects in animals and humans. These include estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, cell signalling conduction, as well as cell growth and death. Based on these properties, soy protein and isoflavones have been associated with reduced incidences of breast and prostate cancers, cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis, and exhibit some other favorable effects. The mechanism through which isoflavones may exert the above-mentioned functions are not only based on the estrogenic properties of isoflavones, but also on their role as protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as regulators of gene transcription, modulators of transcription factors, antioxidants, as well as by altering some enzyme activities. However, to draw a clear conclusion regarding the clinical use of isoflavones further investigation would be required, although only a few effects of short- or longterm use of soy proteins are known in humans.
AB - Isoflavones, rich in soybean, are currently receiving much attention because of their potential role in preventing and treating cancer and other human chronic diseases. The present review provides an overview of the recent results in this research field. Data from epidemiological reports and laboratories have shown that isoflavones have multi-biological and pharmacological effects in animals and humans. These include estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, cell signalling conduction, as well as cell growth and death. Based on these properties, soy protein and isoflavones have been associated with reduced incidences of breast and prostate cancers, cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis, and exhibit some other favorable effects. The mechanism through which isoflavones may exert the above-mentioned functions are not only based on the estrogenic properties of isoflavones, but also on their role as protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as regulators of gene transcription, modulators of transcription factors, antioxidants, as well as by altering some enzyme activities. However, to draw a clear conclusion regarding the clinical use of isoflavones further investigation would be required, although only a few effects of short- or longterm use of soy proteins are known in humans.
KW - Cancer
KW - Cholesterol
KW - Estrogen receptor
KW - Isoflavones
KW - Soy protein
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035214590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035214590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/PL00007388
DO - 10.1007/PL00007388
M3 - Review article
VL - 40
SP - 135
EP - 146
JO - European Journal of Nutrition
JF - European Journal of Nutrition
SN - 1436-6207
IS - 4
ER -