Objective: To evaluate the effects of soygerm isoflavones extracts on blood lipoproteins, antioxidative capacity and urinary estrogen metabolites in postmenopausal women who receive hormone therapy (HT).
Method: Thirty-nine volunteers receiving HT were recruited, and 33 completed the study. All subjects received 6 g of soygerm extracts per day for 4 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected for study at the beginning and at the end of study.
Result: Plasma HDL-C levels increased markedly with significant decreases of plasma LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and LDL-TG levels. The lag time of conjugated dienes formation prolonged for 9.9% and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production in copper-catalyzed oxidation of LDL decreased. The differences were statistically significant. Urinary ratio of 2-OHE(1) to 16alpha-OHE(1) increased without statistical significance.
Conclusion: Soygerm extracts may improve serum lipid profile in postmenopausal Taiwanese women who receive HT, and probably provide a favorable effect on estrogen metabolism.