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International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid... (Review)
Review
It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstrual periods are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces severe physiological changes that might require hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), that could influence asthma symptoms in these women. Late-onset asthma (LOA) has been categorized as a specific asthmatic phenotype that includes menopausal women and novel research regarding therapeutic alternatives that might provide relief to asthmatic women suffering LOA warrants more thorough and comprehensive analysis. Therefore, the present review proposes phytoestrogens as a promising HRT that might provide these females with relief for both their menopause and asthma symptoms. Besides their well-recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly asthmatics, constituting therefore a very attractive potential therapy largely due to their low toxicity and scarce side effects.
Topics: Female; Humans; Phytoestrogens; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Menopause; Estrogens; Asthma
PubMed: 37895016
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015335 -
Clinical Therapeutics Aug 2023Hyperlipoproteinemia (a) is a prevalent complication in dialysis patients, with no valid treatment strategy. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Hyperlipoproteinemia (a) is a prevalent complication in dialysis patients, with no valid treatment strategy. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the clinical significance of hyperlipoproteinemia (a) and phytoestrogen therapy in dialysis patients.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search of the published data was performed regarding the effects of phytoestrogen therapy on hyperlipoproteinemia (a) in dialysis patients.
FINDINGS
Hyperlipoproteinemia (a) occurs in dialysis patients due to decreased catabolism and increased synthesis of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. A few clinical trials have studied the effects of phytoestrogens on serum Lp(a). All studies of dialysis patients or nonuremic individuals with hyperlipoproteinemia (a), except one, showed that phytoestrogens could significantly reduce serum Lp(a) levels. However, all investigations of phytoestrogen therapy in individuals with normal serum Lp(a) levels showed that it had no effect on serum Lp(a). Phytoestrogens seem to have effects similar to those of estrogen in lowering Lp(a) concentrations.
IMPLICATIONS
Considering the high prevalence of hyperlipoproteinemia (a) in dialysis patients, phytoestrogen therapy is a reasonable approach for reducing serum Lp(a) levels and its complications in these patients.
Topics: Humans; Phytoestrogens; Renal Dialysis; Lipoprotein(a); Hyperlipoproteinemias
PubMed: 37442657
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.06.017 -
Maturitas Sep 2018Phytoestrogen-based medications are commonly used by menopausal women, and especially by obese postmenopausal women, to relieve menopausal symptoms. Substitution of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Phytoestrogen-based medications are commonly used by menopausal women, and especially by obese postmenopausal women, to relieve menopausal symptoms. Substitution of animal with soy protein is often used in weight loss regimens, yet the effect of phytoestrogens, the main constituent of soy foods, on body composition is not completely understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the associations between phytoestrogen supplementation and body weight and the main parameters of body composition in postmenopausal women. A literature search was done using 5 electronic databases from inception to April 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with postmenopausal women comparing phytoestrogen supplementation followed by usual diet and placebo were included in the present meta-analysis. From 5932 references, we identified 23 RCTs that met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 1880 postmenopausal women. No association was observed between phytoestrogen supplementation and body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, total fat mass or percentage of body fat. However, the use of phytoestrogens supplementation was associated with a slight decrease in waist-hip ratio; the pooled mean difference was -0.01 cm (95%CI: -0.01 to -0.006). In subgroup analysis, we found a modest decrease in body weight with phytoestrogens supplementation compared with placebo in healthy postmenopausal women [pooled mean difference of changes -0.28 kg (95%CI: -0.52 to -0.04)] and in RCTs with a median number of participants of 66 or less [pooled mean difference of changes -0.49 kg (95%CI: -0.87 to -0.11)]. In contrast, phytoestrogen supplementation was associated with increased body weight in postmenopausal women with preexisting metabolic disorders (prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, prehypertension and hyperlipidemia) [pooled mean difference of changes: 0.78 kg (95%CI: 0.53-1.03)]. In addition, there were some indications that some types of phytoestrogens, such as daidzein, but not soy products or isoflavone mix, could lead to modest adverse changes in body composition in menopausal women. Therefore, future studies should investigate the potential adverse effects of phytoestrogen supplementation on body composition among postmenopausal women.
Topics: Body Composition; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Phytoestrogens; Postmenopause; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 30049351
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.06.012 -
European Journal of Pharmacology Oct 2014The chemical structure, classification, source, metabolism, physiological and health effects of plant phytoestrogens and mechanisms of their action are reviewed. The... (Review)
Review
The chemical structure, classification, source, metabolism, physiological and health effects of plant phytoestrogens and mechanisms of their action are reviewed. The available knowledge suggests that phytoestrogens can affect a number of physiological and pathological processes related to reproduction, bone remodeling, skin, cardiovascular, nervous, immune systems and metabolism. Due to these effects, phytoestrogens and phytoestrogen-containing diet can be useful for the prevention and treatment of menopausal symptoms, skin aging, osteoporosis, cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, immune and metabolic diseases. Possible problems in understanding and application of phytoestrogens (multiple targets and multiple estrogen receptor -dependent and -independent mechanisms of action, the discrepancy between the results of experimental and clinical studies, adequate source of phytoestrogen) have been discussed.
Topics: Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Osteoporosis; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Receptors, Estrogen; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25160742
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.07.057 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Sep 2017Recent evidence indicates that resveratrol, a phytoestrogen, can improve cognitive function in postmenopausal women by enhancing cerebral vasodilator responsiveness. We... (Review)
Review
Recent evidence indicates that resveratrol, a phytoestrogen, can improve cognitive function in postmenopausal women by enhancing cerebral vasodilator responsiveness. We examine the effects of phytoestrogen supplementation on cognition and compare resveratrol with other phytoestrogens. Databases were searched for reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) containing terms describing phytoestrogens together with terms relating to cognition. Effect sizes were determined for changes in cognition. We identified 23 RCTs, 15 with isoflavone and eight with resveratrol or grape formulations. Six soy isoflavone studies showed positive cognitive effects of medium size. Greater benefits were seen in women who were <10 years postmenopausal and supplemented for <6 months. Small-to-medium effect-size cognitive benefits of resveratrol were seen in four studies of older adults of mixed gender and in postmenopausal women who took 150-200 mg resveratrol daily for at least 14 weeks. No benefits were seen in three studies using red clover or grape formulations. Supplementation with either soy isoflavone or resveratrol improved executive function and memory domains of cognitively normal older adults in half of the included studies, mostly with medium effect sizes. The cognitive benefit of resveratrol was related to improved cerebral perfusion.
Topics: Cognition; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Phytoestrogens; Resveratrol; Stilbenes
PubMed: 28945939
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13459 -
European Journal of Immunology Nov 2023Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to... (Review)
Review
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the pathobiology of the disease. Although HLA genes have emerged as the strongest genetic factor linked to MS, consensus on the environmental risk factors is lacking. Recently, the gut microbiota has garnered increasing attention as a potential environmental factor in MS, as mounting evidence suggests that individuals with MS exhibit microbial dysbiosis (changes in the gut microbiome). Thus, there has been a strong emphasis on understanding the role of the gut microbiome in the pathobiology of MS, specifically, factors regulating the gut microbiota and the mechanism(s) through which gut microbes may contribute to MS. Among all factors, diet has emerged to have the strongest influence on the composition and function of gut microbiota. As MS patients lack gut bacteria capable of metabolizing dietary phytoestrogen, we will specifically discuss the role of a phytoestrogen diet and phytoestrogen metabolizing gut bacteria in the pathobiology of MS. A better understanding of these mechanisms will help to harness the enormous potential of the gut microbiota as potential therapeutics to treat MS and other autoimmune diseases.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Phytoestrogens; Microbiota; Autoimmune Diseases; Bacteria; Diet; Dysbiosis
PubMed: 37673213
DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250236 -
Nutrients Jan 2023Phytoestrogens are literally estrogenic substances of plant origin. Although these substances are useful for plants in many aspects, their estrogenic properties are... (Review)
Review
Phytoestrogens are literally estrogenic substances of plant origin. Although these substances are useful for plants in many aspects, their estrogenic properties are essentially relevant to their predators. As such, phytoestrogens can be considered to be substances potentially dedicated to plant-predator interaction. Therefore, it is not surprising to note that the word phytoestrogen comes from the early discovery of estrogenic effects in grazing animals and humans. Here, several compounds whose activities have been discovered at nutritional concentrations in animals and humans are examined. The substances analyzed belong to several chemical families, i.e., the flavanones, the coumestans, the resorcylic acid lactones, the isoflavones, and the enterolignans. Following their definition and the evocation of their role in plants, their metabolic transformations and bioavailabilities are discussed. A point is then made regarding their health effects, which can either be beneficial or adverse depending on the subject studied, the sex, the age, and the physiological status. Toxicological information is given based on official data. The effects are first presented in humans. Animal models are evoked when no data are available in humans. The effects are presented with a constant reference to doses and plausible exposure.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Phytoestrogens; Isoflavones; Plants; Estrogens; Models, Animal
PubMed: 36678189
DOI: 10.3390/nu15020317 -
Canadian Journal of Physiology and... Jun 2019Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in both men and women. Younger women have a lower risk for CVD, but their risk increases considerably after... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in both men and women. Younger women have a lower risk for CVD, but their risk increases considerably after menopause when estrogen levels decrease. The cardiovascular protective properties of estrogen are mediated through decreasing vascular inflammation and progression of atherosclerosis, decreasing endothelial cell damage by preventing apoptosis and anti-hypertrophic mechanisms. Estrogen also regulates glucose and lipid levels, which are 2 important risk factors for CVD. Resveratrol (RES), a cardioprotective polyphenolic compound, is classified as a phytoestrogen due its capacity to bind to and modulate estrogen receptor signalling. Due to its estrogen-like property, we speculate that the cardioprotective effects of RES treatment could be sex-dependent. Based on earlier reports and more recent data from our lab presented here, we found that RES treatment may have more favourable cardiovascular outcomes in females than in males. This review will discuss estrogen- and phytoestrogen-mediated cardioprotection, with a specific focus on sex-dependent effects reported in preclinical and clinical studies.
Topics: Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Phytoestrogens; Resveratrol; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 30576226
DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0544 -
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2016Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among postmenopausal women in western societies. There are still no specific and highly... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among postmenopausal women in western societies. There are still no specific and highly efficient methods of preservation of women's vascular health in modern preventive medicine. For many years physicians have assumed that hormone replacement therapy prevents the development of atherosclerosis in menopausal women. However, the results of the largest international trials involving thousands of women have completely destroyed this hope. The modern perspective for the development of effective and safe drugs to enhance the quality of life and to prevent atherosclerosis progression in postmenopausal women may be the use of phytoestrogens, the substances of plant origin possessing estrogen- like effects, and possibly providing anti-atherosclerotic and anti-climacteric action. Phytoestrogens are often considered as a possible alternative to hormone replacement therapy, since they are believed to alleviate some symptoms of menopause. However, until now there is no exact evidence to consider phytoestrogens as the substances that protect women from atherosclerosis. It should be noted that the data from clinical studies with inconsistent results are mainly inconsistent per se, as most of the studies have serious limitations due to the study design and the participants' compliance. Nevertheless, there is a substantial evidence that phytoestrogens have the potential to address several conditions and diseases associated with the menopausal transition. Phytoestrogens, at least, can potentially reduce atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-related diseases through multiple mechanisms, by regulating serum lipid metabolism, arterial vessels, cytokine levels, and coagulation/fibrinolysis system. However, a skepticism exists concerning the true potential of phytoestrogens to beneficially modify these processes. An analysis of findings from supplementing the diet with phytoestrogens has failed, in general, to confirm them as the agents responsible for beneficial cardiovascular effects. Fortunalely, now there is a growing interest to the use of phytoestrogens for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Clinical and epidemiologic data indicate that phytoestrogens possess anti-atherosclerotic effects and may be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, and that adding phytoestrogens to the diet can contribute to the health of postmenopausal women. This review discusses the effects of phytoestrogens possibly beneficial for cardiovascular health, and how these effects could retard the progression of atherosclerosis, as well as the areas that need further investigation.
Topics: Coronary Artery Disease; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Phytoestrogens; Phytotherapy; Postmenopause; Women's Health
PubMed: 26561070
DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666151112150520 -
Nutrients May 2021Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture leading to bone fragility and an increased... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and the deterioration of bone microarchitecture leading to bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Conventional anti-osteoporotic pharmaceutics are effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of osteoporosis, however they are associated with various side effects that push many women into seeking botanicals as an alternative therapy. Traditional folk medicine is a rich source of bioactive compounds waiting for discovery and investigation that might be used in those patients, and therefore botanicals have recently received increasing attention. The aim of this review of literature is to present the comprehensive information about plant-derived compounds that might be used to maintain bone health in perimenopausal and postmenopausal females.
Topics: Animals; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Botany; Female; Fractures, Bone; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Phytoestrogens
PubMed: 34064936
DOI: 10.3390/nu13051609